to 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.
verb (used without object)
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.
noun
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
1
1350–1400; Middle English; back formation from indented having toothlike notches, Middle English <Medieval Latin indentātus, equivalent to Latin in-in-2 + dentātusdentate; see -ed2