Definition of indenture
1a (1) : a document or a section of a document that is indented (2) : a formal or official document usually executed in two or more copies (3) : a contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time —often used in pluralb : a formal certificate (such as an inventory or voucher) prepared for purposes of controlc : a document stating the terms under which a security (such as a bond) is issued
2 : indentation 1
3 [3indent] : dent
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Examples of indenture in a sentence
the dropped hammer left an indenture in the floor
made a small indenture to mark the spot where the plank was to be sawed
Origin and Etymology of indenture
Middle English endenture, from Anglo-French, from endenter
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Legal Terms
indenture
Definition of indenture
indentured
;indenturing
play \in-ˈden-ch(ə-)riŋ\transitive verb
: to bind (someone, such as an apprentice) by or as if by indentures
1676
First Known Use of indenture
1676
Law Dictionary
indenture
playLegal Definition of indenture
1 : a document stating the terms under which a security (as a debenture or other bond) is issued; specifically in bankruptcy law : a document (as a mortgage or deed of trust) under which there is outstanding security constituting a claim against a debtor, a claim secured by a lien on any of the debtor's property, or an equity security of the debtor
2 : a deed or other document to which two or more parties (as both grantor and grantee) are bound
Origin and Etymology of indenture
Old French endenture an indented document, from endenter to indent (divide a document into sections with irregular edges that can be matched for authentication), from en- thoroughly + dent tooth
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for indenture Spanish Central: Translation of indenture Nglish: Translation of indenture for Spanish speakers
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