释义 |
in·dent I. \ə̇nˈdent\ verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Middle English indenten, endenten, from Middle French endenter, from Old French, from en- en- (I) + dent tooth, from Latin dent-, dens — more at tooth transitive verb 1. a. : to cut or otherwise divide (a sheet of parchment or paper carrying two or more copies especially of a deed or contract) so that sections having one or more edges with angular projections or a scalloped or curved outline are produced, each section being later fitted if necessary to the section having an exactly tallying edge as proof that the sections are parts of an original authentic document < an indented deed > b. : to draw up (as a deed or contract) in two or more exactly corresponding copies < indenting the agreement > 2. a. (1) : to cut into or notch the edge of in such a way as to produce a scalloped outline or one with angular projections < an indented stick > (2) : to cut into (as a board) for the purpose of mortising or dovetailing b. : to penetrate the edge of in such a way as to produce an outline marked by one or more recesses < the coastline is indented by the sea into a succession of small bays — Han Suyin > 3. a. obsolete : to come to a formal or express agreement about b. : indenture < indented servants > 4. : to set (as a line of a paragraph) in from a left-hand margin or sometimes from a right-hand margin < indenting the first word of a paragraph > < indented the column of figures one inch from the right-hand margin > 5. : to join together (as two boards) by or as if by mortises or dovetails 6. chiefly Britain : to order by an indent < indented guns and ammunition > < indenting books > intransitive verb 1. obsolete : to make a formal or express agreement < thus would I have ecclesiastical and civil historians indent about the bounds and limits of their subjects — Thomas Fuller > 2. obsolete : to wind in and out : zigzag 3. : to form an indentation < the long line of coast with its series of indenting bays — American Guide Series: New Jersey > 4. chiefly Britain : to make out an indent for something < indenting for books > • - indent on II. \ə̇nˈdent, ˈinˌdent\ noun (-s) 1. a. : indenture 1 b. : a certificate of indebtedness (as of interest on the public debt) issued by the federal or a state government in the late 18th or early 19th century 2. chiefly Britain a. : an official requisition (as for supplies) b. : a purchase order for goods especially when sent from a foreign country 3. : indention III. verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Middle English endenten, from en- (I) + denten to dent — more at dent transitive verb 1. : to force inward (as by striking or pressing) so as to form a depression (as a dent or hollow) < indenting a pattern in a metal surface > 2. : to form a depression (as a dent or hollow) in the surface of by or as if by striking or pressing < indenting the pillow with his head > : make an indentation in < wore tight-fitting pince-nez which indented the sides of his nose in two red grooves — O.S.J.Gogarty > intransitive verb : dent < this asphalt indents easily > IV. noun (-s) : indentation < the damp grass was everywhere marked with the indents of his sharp hooves — Llewelyn Powys > |