Indenture Meaning
/ɪnˈdɛn.ʃɝ/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA contract which binds a person to work for another, under specified conditions, for a specified time (often as an apprentice).
nounA contract relating to lending (typically for issuing a bond), a real estate transaction, or a bankruptcy that imposes additional conditions on one or both parties.
Sentence Examples
The indenture agreement was complex and lengthy.
Historical indenture documents are rare.
The historic indenture document was signed in ink.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The young apprentice signed an ____ that required him to work for seven years.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In the past, many workers would sign an ____ to work for several years in exchange for travel.
Word Origin & History
From Anglo-Norman endenture, from Old French endenteure, from endenter (“to dent”). The name of the contract derives from the irregular dent-shaped cut (indentation) used to prove the authenticity of the two parts, similar to a chirograph.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"And so the schoolmistress reconciled the recommendation to her conscience, and the indentures were cancelled, and the apprentice was free."
— 1847 January – 1848 July, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter II, in Vanity Fair […], London: Bradbury and Evans […], published 1848, →OCLC:
"Walking the street very hungry, and not knowing what to do with himself, a crimp's bill was put into his hand, offering immediate entertainment and encouragement to such as would bind themselves to serve in America. He went directly, sign'd the indentures, was put into the ship, and came over, never writing a line to acquaint his friends what was become of him."
— 1771–1790, Benjamin Franklin, “The Autobiography [Part 1]”, in John Bigelow, editor, Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. […], Philadelphia, Pa.: J[oshua] B[allinger] Lippincott & Co., published 1868, →OCLC, page 159:
"It was the critical moment of Oliver’s fate. If the inkstand had been where the old gentleman thought it was, he would have dipped his pen into it, and signed the indentures, and Oliver would have been straightway hurried off."
— 1837 March, Boz [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], “Relates How Oliver Twist Was Very Near Getting a Place, Which Would Not Have Been a Sinecure”, in Oliver Twist; […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], published 1838, →OCLC, page 46:
"For the next two years, Ann's position in the family grew to be more and more that of a daughter. If it had not been for the indentures lying serenely in that tall wooden desk, she would almost have forgotten, herself, that she was a bound girl."
— 1886, Mary E. Wilkins, The Adventures of Ann:
"The narrow windows, flanked by deep indentures into the walls, seemed formed rather to exclude than to admit the cheerful light; and the heavy and gloomy appearance of the thunder-sky added still farther to the obscurity."
— 1819, Jedediah Cleishbotham [pseudonym; Walter Scott], chapter X, in Tales of My Landlord, Third Series. […], volume I (The Bride of Lammermoor), Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, […]; Hurst, Robinson, and Co. […], →OCLC, page 264:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The young apprentice signed an ____ that required him to work for seven years.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In the past, many workers would sign an ____ to work for several years in exchange for travel.