- to cut toothlike points into (an edge or border); notch; also, to join by mating notches
- to make jagged or zigzag in outline
- to sever (a written contract, etc.) along an irregular line, so that the parts may be identified
- to write out (a contract, etc.) in duplicate
- to bind (a servant or apprentice) by indenture
- to place (the first line of a paragraph, an entire paragraph, a column of figures, etc.) some number of spaces away from the regular margin
- Brit., Business to order by an indent (noun)
Origin of indent
Middle English endenten from Old French endenter or Medieval Latin indentare, both from Classical Latin in, in + dens, tooth- to create a starting point some number of spaces away from the margin; make an indentation
- to draw up an order or requisition in duplicate or triplicate
- a notch or cut in an edge
- an indenture, or written contract
- a starting point some number of spaces away from the margin; indentation
- an indented line, paragraph, etc.
- Brit., Business an order form used in foreign trade and usually drawn up in duplicate or triplicate; specif.,
- any order for foreign merchandise
- an export order to buy certain goods at stated terms