INDENTURE (through 0. Fr. endenture from a legal Latin

See also:

• TERM

term indent-ura, indentare, to cut into

See also:

• TEETH (O.E. Eel); plural of tooth, O.E. top)

teeth, to give a jagged edge, in modurn dentium, like teeth)  , a law term for a special form of deed executed between two or more parties, and having counterparts or copies equal to the number of parties . These copies were all drawn on one piece of vellum or paper divided by a toothed or "indented " line . The copies when separated along this waved line could then be identified as " tallies " when brought together . Deeds executed by one party only had a smooth or " polled " edge, whence the name " deed poll." By the Real Property Act 1845, § 5, all deeds purporting to be " indentures " have the effect of an " indenture," even though the indented line be absent . The name " chirograph " (Gr. xeip, hand, ypa4ety, to write) was also early applied to such a form of deed, and the word itself was often written along the indented line (see further DEED and DIPLOMATIC) . The term 'indenture" is now used generally of any sealed agreement between two or more parties, and specifically of a contract of apprenticeship, whence the phrase " to take up one's indentures," on completion of the term, and also of a contract by labourers to serve in a foreign country or colony (see COOLIE) .