Phonetic transcription (UK) /ɪnˈdent/ – (US) /ɪnˈdent/
notched, serrated, indent, saw-toothed; scalloped; indented, indentation, serration, dentil
Power Thesaurus (https://www.powerthesaurus.org/serrate/synonyms);
H. Wilson, Silverwork and Jewelry: a textbook for students and workers in metal, second edition, New York, D. Appleton and Company, 1912 (https://gemology.se/gill-library/gemjewelry/Silverwork_and_Jewelry_H_Wilson_ed_by_W_R_Lethaby_1912.pdf);
G. Ragazzini, Il Ragazzini. Dizionario Inglese-Italiano, Italian-English dictionary, Bologna, Zanichelli, 2019, p. 1725
indent is a borrowing from French. Etymons: French endenter.
The earliest known use of the verb indent is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). OED’s earliest evidence for indent is from 1385, in Award betw. Robert Earl of Fyfe & John of Logy.
Oxford English Dictionary website (https://www.oed.com/dictionary/indent_v1?tab=factsheet#663688)
Definition#
to cut the edge or surface of an object into a series of points resembling teeth, by forming notches
Cambridge Dictionary (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/indent);
Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indent);
J. Donald, F.R.G.S (ed.), Chambers’s English Dictionary, Pronouncing, Explanatory, and Etymological, with Vocabularies of Scottish Words and Phrases, Americanisms, &c., London and Edinburgh, W. & R. Chambers Limited, 1893, p. 415 (https://www.google.it/books/edition/Chambers_s_English_Dictionary_Pronouncin/sXmyq3lYufYC?hl=it&gbpv=0)
Syn: (to) jag; ; (to) notch; notched, serrated, indent, saw-toothed; scalloped
A. Baret, Lexique Français-Anglais, Paris, Garnier Frères, Libraires-Editeurs, 1881, p. 169 (https://www.google.it/books/edition/Lexique_fran%C3%A7ais_anglais/BnASAAAAIAAJ?hl=it&gbpv=0); A. G. Collot, A new and improved standard French and English and English and French dictionary, composed from the French dictionaries of the French Academy, Laveaux, Boiste, &c.; From the English dictionaries of Webster, Johnson, Richardson, &c., Philadelphia, C. G. Henderson & Co., 1852, p. 259 (https://www.google.it/books/edition/A_New_and_Improved_Standard_French_and_E/vB9PAAAAYAAJ?hl=it&gbpv=0) ; Power Thesaurus (https://www.powerthesaurus.org/serrate/synonyms);
H. Wilson, Silverwork and Jewelry: a textbook for students and workers in metal, second edition, New York, D. Appleton and Company, 1912 (https://gemology.se/gill-library/gemjewelry/Silverwork_and_Jewelry_H_Wilson_ed_by_W_R_Lethaby_1912.pdf)
Phraseology#
to indent the metal with the edge of the stake; flat bars having indented notches in their edges; To indent beams; to indent the ends slightly
W. J. E. Crane, The Sheet-Metal Worker’s Guide. A practical handbook for tinsmiths, coppersmiths, zincworkers, etc., London, Crosby Lockwood & Son, 1888, p. 3 (https://www.google.it/books/edition/The_sheet_metal_worker_s_guide/UltJ0mwlao0C?hl=it&gbpv=0);
The Engineering Magazine, John R. Dunlap, April to September, 1896, The Engineering Magazine devoted to industrial progress, Volume XI, New York, The Engineering Magazine, p. 823
(https://www.google.it/books/edition/Industrial_Management/dVAyAQAAMAAJ?hl=it&gbpv=0); G. F. D. Bart, Technological Military Dictionary, German-English-French, A New and Revised Edition, London, David Nutt, Foreign Bookseller, Strand, 1848, p. 399 (https://www.google.it/books/edition/Technological_Military_Dictionary_German/TyUAfga2t3MC?hl=it&gbpv=0); J. G. Horner, Metal turning. By a foreman pattern-maker, London, Whittaker and Co., 1890, p. 69 (https://www.google.it/books/edition/Metal_turning_by_a_foreman_pattern_maker/G7NikDF_XqAC?hl=it&gbpv=1&dq=to+indent++in+metallurgy&pg=PA69&printsec=frontcover)
Literary quotes#
This method of mounting electrotype plates imparts to them a certain elasticity which enables me to work with typographic presses or machines using a minimum of pressure so as not to indent the metal sheets whilst being printed and neutralizes the rigidity resulting from the contact of metal with metal.
Specifications of Letters Patent for Inventions and Provisional Specifications, Office of the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions, Under The Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852,Vol. III, 201–300, LONDON, The Commissioners of Patents’ Sale Departement, 1879, p. 2 (https://www.google.it/books/edition/Specifications_of_Letters_Patent_for_Inv/oHogbaZepcgC?hl=it&gbpv=1&dq=to+indent+in+metallurgy&pg=PT273&printsec=frontcover)
Encyclopaedic notes#
Cranks, connecting rods, levers, crossheads, pumps, and such like, involve much of setting and careful adjustment before all the several sections of the work will hold up to dimensions. When the chucking centres are lined off they have to be countersunk to go upon the point centres of the lathe. In light rods it is quite sufficient to indent the ends slightly with a centre punch, a few taps with the hammer being sufficient.
J. G. Horner, Metal turning. By a foreman pattern-maker, London, Whittaker and Co., 1890, p. 69 (https://www.google.it/books/edition/Metal_turning_by_a_foreman_pattern_maker/G7NikDF_XqAC?hl=it&gbpv=1&dq=to+indent++in+metallurgy&pg=PA69&printsec=frontcover)
