GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 3 definitions

  1.       
    Indenture (?; 135), n. [OE. endenture, OF. endenture, LL. indentura a deed in duplicate, with indented edges. See the Note below. See Indent.]

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    1. The act of indenting, or state of being indented.

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    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 pl., a short form for indentures of apprenticeship, the contract by which a youth is bound apprentice to a master.

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    The law is the best expositor of the gospel; they are like a pair of indentures: they answer in every part. C. Leslie.

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    ☞ Indentures were originally duplicates, laid together and indented by a notched cut or line, or else written on the same piece of parchment and separated by a notched line so that the two papers or parchments corresponded to each other. But indenting has gradually become a mere form, and is often neglected, while the writings or counterparts retain the name of indentures.

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    3. Hence: A contract by which anyone is bound to service.

    [PJC]

  2.       
    Indenture, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Indentured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Indenturing.]

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    1. To indent; to make hollows, notches, or wrinkles in; to furrow.

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    Though age may creep on, and indenture the brow. Woty.

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    2. To bind by indentures or written contract; as, “to indenture an apprentice”.

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  3.       
    Indenture, v. i. To run or wind in and out; to be cut or notched; to indent.  Heywood.

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