| n. | 1. | |
| 1. | The act of indenting, or state of being indented. | |
| 2. | (Law) A mutual agreement in writing between two or more parties, whereof each party has usually a counterpart or duplicate, sometimes with the edges indented for purpose of identification; sometimes in the | |
| 3. | A contract by which anyone is bound to service. | |
| v. t. | 1. | To indent; to make hollows, notches, or wrinkles in; to furrow. |
| 2. | To bind by indentures or written contract; | |
| v. i. | 1. | To run or wind in and out; to be cut or notched; to indent. |
| Noun | 1. | indenture - a concave cut into a surface or edge (as in a coastline) Synonyms: indentation |
| 2. | indenture - formal agreement between the issuer of bonds and the bondholders as to terms of the debt | |
| 3. | indenture - a contract binding one party into the service of another for a specified term | |
| 4. | indenture - the space left between the margin and the start of an indented line Synonyms: indent, indentation | |
| Verb | 1. | indenture - bind by or as if by indentures, as of an apprentice or servant; "an indentured servant" Synonyms: indent |
INDENTURE, conveyancing. An instrument of writing containing a conveyance or
contract between two or more persons, usually indented or cut unevenly, or
in and out, on the top or, side.
2. Formerly it was common to make two instruments exactly alike, and it
was then usual to write both on the same parchment, with some words or
letters written between them, through which the parchment was cut, either in
a straight or indented line, in such a manner as to leave one-half of the
word on one part, and half on the other. The instrument usually commences
with these words, "This indenture," which were not formerly sufficient,
unless the parchment or paper was actually indented to make an indenture 5
Co. 20; but now, if the form of indenting the parchment be wanting, it may
be supplied by being done in court, this being mere form. Besides, it would
be exceedingly difficult with even the most perfect instruments, to out
parchment or paper without indenting it. Vide Bac. Ab. Leases, &c. E 2; Com.
Dig. Fait, C, and note d; Litt. sec. 370; Co. Litt. 143 b, 229 a; Cruise,
Dig t. 32, c. 1, s. 24; 2 Bl. Com. 294; 1 Sess. Cas. 222.
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