indent
1to form deep recesses in: The sea indents the coast.
to set in or back from the margin, as the first line of a paragraph.
to sever (a document drawn up in duplicate) along an irregular line as a means of identification.
to cut or tear the edge of (copies of a document) in an irregular way.
to make toothlike notches in; notch.
to indenture, as an apprentice.
British. to draw an order upon.
Chiefly British. to order, as commodities.
to form a recess.
Chiefly British. to make out an order or requisition in duplicate.
Obsolete.
to draw upon a person or thing for something.
to enter into an agreement by indenture; make a compact.
a toothlike notch or deep recess;indentation.
an indention.
an indenture.
American History. a certificate issued by a state or the federal government at the close of the Revolutionary War for the principal or interest due on the public debt.
British. a requisition for stores.
Origin of indent
1Other words from indent
- in·dent·er, in·den·tor, noun
Words Nearby indent
Other definitions for indent (2 of 2)
a dent.
Origin of indent
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use indent in a sentence
Basically, it’s a thumbprint cookie with the indent filled with poppy seeds.
Sticky, gooey, crunchy, chewy — 11 gluten-free cookie recipes to delight in this holiday season | Becky Krystal | December 17, 2020 | Washington PostThe firths of Forth and Clyde indent the country very deeply on the east and west, almost dividing it into two parts.
Battles of English History | H. B. (Hereford Brooke) GeorgeIt encloses many large islands, and contains large bays and gulfs which deeply indent the northern shores of the three continents.
Drop down a few more lines before you begin with the text, and indent about an inch for the beginning of each paragraph.
If You Don't Write Fiction | Charles Phelps CushingAll stage directions have been uniformly formatted to a left uniform indent instead of a right page margin.
Yolanda of Cyprus | Cale Young Rice
Many a youth would think it hard to indent himself a slave for fourteen years.
Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution | L. Carroll Judson
British Dictionary definitions for indent (1 of 2)
to place (written or printed matter, etc) in from the margin, as at the beginning of a paragraph
to cut or tear (a document, esp a contract or deed in duplicate) so that the irregular lines may be matched to confirm its authenticity
mainly British (in foreign trade) to place an order for (foreign goods), usually through an agent
(when intr, foll by for, on, or upon) mainly British to make an order on (a source or supply) or for (something)
to notch (an edge, border, etc); make jagged
to bind (an apprentice, etc) by indenture
mainly British (in foreign trade) an order for foreign merchandise, esp one placed with an agent
mainly British an official order for goods
(in the late 18th-century US) a certificate issued by federal and state governments for the principal or interest due on the public debt
another word for indenture
another word for indentation (def. 4)
Origin of indent
1Derived forms of indent
- indenter or indentor, noun
British Dictionary definitions for indent (2 of 2)
(tr) to make a dent or depression in
a dent or depression
Origin of indent
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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