Indenture
/ɪnˈdɛn.tʃər/noun
A formal legal agreement or contract, especially one binding a person to service for a period of time.
Did you know?Indentures were often written in duplicate with matching notched edges, and the word comes from the same root as *tooth*—contracts were once verified by a physical, bite-like cut.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₃dónts
“tooth”
Latin
Latin
dens, dentis
“tooth”
Late Latin
Latin
indentāre
“to notch or cut with teeth; to make a jagged edge”
Old French
Old French
endenter
“to notch, indent, or mark with teeth-like cuts”
Middle English
English
indenture
“a deed or contract written in duplicate with matching notched edges”
Modern English
English
indenture
“a formal binding contract, especially one for apprenticeship or service”