indentation

• Nom désignant une encoche, un creux ou une concavité sur une surface ou un bord, ainsi que l'action de créer une telle forme ; il s'emploie aussi pour désigner l'espace laissé en début de ligne d'un texte.

A noun referring to a notch, recess, or inward curve in a surface or edge, or the act of creating such a shape; also used to describe the space left at the beginning of a line of text.

1. Concave cut or notchB2formal

   A recess or notch in a surface or edge, such as those found along a coastline.

   Indentation (échancrure)

   • The map showed many small indentations along the shore.
   • The cliff had a deep indentation from years of erosion.
   • He traced the indentation in the wood with his finger.

   Synonymescavitydentdepressiongougehollownicknotchrecess

   Antonymesbulgeprojectionprotrusion

2. Pitting from corrosionC1formalscientific

   The formation of small pits or depressions on a surface due to chemical or corrosive processes.

   Piqûre (corrosion)

   • The metal showed signs of indentation from rust.
   • Corrosion caused indentation on the old pipes.
   • The surface had small indentations from acid exposure.

   Synonymespitting

3. Typographic spacingB1formal

   The blank space left between the margin and the beginning of a line of text, typically used to indicate a new paragraph.

   Indentation

   • Please use a tab for the indentation at the start of each paragraph.
   • The document requires a 0.5-inch indentation for all body text.
   • She adjusted the indentation to make the report look more professional.

   Synonymesindentindention

4. Notched cuttingC1formaltechnical

   The act of cutting into an edge to create tooth-like notches or angular incisions.

   entaillage en dents

   • The craftsman made a precise indentation along the edge of the wood.
   • The saw blade had indentations that helped it cut more efficiently.
   • He created an indentation in the metal to fit the gear.

   Synonymesserration