The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Indenture \In*den"ture\, v. i.
   To run or wind in and out; to be cut or notched; to indent.
   --Heywood.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Indenture \In*den"ture\ (?; 135), n. [OE. endenture, OF.
   endenture, LL. indentura a deed in duplicate, with indented
   edges. See the Note below. See Indent.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. The act of indenting, or state of being indented.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Law) A mutual agreement in writing between two or more
      parties, whereof each party has usually a counterpart or
      duplicate, sometimes with the edges indented for purpose
      of identification; sometimes in the pl., a short form for
      indentures of apprenticeship, the contract by which a
      youth is bound apprentice to a master.
      [1913 Webster]

            The law is the best expositor of the gospel; they
            are like a pair of indentures: they answer in every
            part.                                 --C. Leslie.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Indentures were originally duplicates, laid together
         and indented by a notched cut or line, or else written
         on the same piece of parchment and separated by a
         notched line so that the two papers or parchments
         corresponded to each other. But indenting has gradually
         become a mere form, and is often neglected, while the
         writings or counterparts retain the name of indentures.
         [1913 Webster]

   3. Hence: A contract by which anyone is bound to service.
      [PJC]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Indenture \In*den"ture\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Indentured; p.
   pr. & vb. n. Indenturing.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. To indent; to make hollows, notches, or wrinkles in; to
      furrow.
      [1913 Webster]

            Though age may creep on, and indenture the brow.
                                                  --Woty.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To bind by indentures or written contract; as, to
      indenture an apprentice.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

indenture
    n 1: a concave cut into a surface or edge (as in a coastline)
         [syn: indentation, indenture]
    2: formal agreement between the issuer of bonds and the
       bondholders as to terms of the debt
    3: a contract binding one party into the service of another for
       a specified term
    4: the space left between the margin and the start of an
       indented line [syn: indentation, indention, indent,
       indenture]
    v 1: bind by or as if by indentures, as of an apprentice or
         servant; "an indentured servant" [syn: indenture,
         indent]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

128 Moby Thesaurus words for "indenture":
   Fannie Mae, Federal Agency bond, Ginnie Mae, Series E bond,
   Series H bond, adjustment bond, alveolation, alveolus,
   annuity bond, appreciation bond, apprentice, apprenticeship,
   arrangement, article, assented bond, assumed bond, baby bond,
   bearer bond, bearer certificate, bind, bind over, binding over,
   bond, bond anticipation note, callable bond, collateral trust bond,
   consolidated annuities, consolidated stock, consols,
   contract by deed, contract of record, contract quasi,
   convertible bond, convertible debenture, corporate bond,
   corporation stock, coupon bond, coupon rate, covenant of indemnity,
   current income bond, current yield, debenture, debenture bond,
   deed, deed of trust, deed poll, deep-discount bond, defense bond,
   deferred bond, definitive bond, dent, dimple, dint, discount bond,
   equipment bond, equipment note, equipment trust,
   equipment trust bond, equipment trust certificate, extended bond,
   first mortgage bond, firsts, formal contract, furrow,
   general mortgage bond, general obligation bond, gouge,
   government bond, group policy, guaranteed bond, high-grade bond,
   honeycomb, implied contract, impress, impression, imprint,
   income bond, indent, indentation, indention, insurance policy,
   interchangeable bond, interim bond, joint bond, mortgage bond,
   mortgage deed, municipal bond, negotiable bond, nick, nominal rate,
   nonnegotiable bond, notch, optional bond, par bond, parol contract,
   participating bond, pock, pockmark, policy, premium bond, print,
   promissory note, purchase money bond, recognizance, refunding bond,
   registered bond, registered certificate, revenue bond,
   savings bond, second mortgage bond, seconds, secured bond,
   small bond, special contract, specialty, specialty contract,
   state bond, sunken part, tax anticipation note, tax-free bond,
   title deed, treasury bond, trust indenture, trustee mortgage bond,
   unsecured bond, voting bond, war bond, yield to maturity



Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856):

INDENTURE, conveyancing. An instrument of writing containing a conveyance or
contract between two or more persons, usually indented or cut unevenly, or
in and out, on the top or, side.
     2. Formerly it was common to make two instruments exactly alike, and it
was then usual to write both on the same parchment, with some words or
letters written between them, through which the parchment was cut, either in
a straight or indented line, in such a manner as to leave one-half of the
word on one part, and half on the other. The instrument usually commences
with these words, "This indenture," which were not formerly sufficient,
unless the parchment or paper was actually indented to make an indenture 5
Co. 20; but now, if the form of indenting the parchment be wanting, it may
be supplied by being done in court, this being mere form. Besides, it would
be exceedingly difficult with even the most perfect instruments, to out
parchment or paper without indenting it. Vide Bac. Ab. Leases, &c. E 2; Com.
Dig. Fait, C, and note d; Litt. sec. 370; Co. Litt. 143 b, 229 a; Cruise,
Dig t. 32, c. 1, s. 24; 2 Bl. Com. 294; 1 Sess. Cas. 222.