Pronunciation: [ˌɪndˈɛnʃən] (IPA) 
Indention, also spelled indentation, is a noun that refers to the act of making a recess or groove in a surface. The word is pronounced /ɪnˈdɛnʃən/ and is composed of five phonemes: the vowel /ɪ/ followed by the consonants /n/, /d/, /ɛ/, and /n/, and ending with the semivowel /ʃ/. The middle consonant cluster is a voiced dental fricative followed by a voiced alveolar stop, both of which contribute to the unique sound of the word.
Indention refers to the act or process of making a shallow depression, groove, or indentation on a surface or material. It is a noun that predominantly finds its usage in the context of writing, typography, and formatting.
In writing, indention refers to the practice of starting a new line of text a few spaces or tabs inward from the edge or margin of a page. This formatting technique is commonly employed to signify a new paragraph or to visually separate different sections or thoughts within a piece of text. Indention helps to enhance readability and organization, allowing readers to clearly discern the structure and flow of the written content.
In typography, indention is an important aspect of text layout and composition. It involves shifting or offsetting specific lines or blocks of text to the left or right, creating a visually appealing and balanced arrangement. Indention can serve a variety of purposes in typography, such as differentiating headers or subheadings, emphasizing key points or quotations, or distinguishing different levels of information in a hierarchical structure.
Indention can also refer to physical or mechanical processes. For instance, in woodworking or metalworking, indention can involve creating a small groove or impression on a surface for decorative or functional purposes. In geology, indention can describe the formation of small depressions or concavities on the Earth's surface, often due to erosion, weathering, or impact.
Overall, indention is a versatile term that finds relevance in diverse fields, encompassing both the visual representation and physical creation of depressions, grooves, or recesses.
The word "indention" is derived from the Latin verb "indentare", which means "to notch" or "to make a dent". This Latin word is formed by combining the prefix "in-" meaning "into" or "upon" and the noun "dentis" meaning "tooth". In medieval Latin, "indentare" referred specifically to the practice of "making indentations or notches" on a surface, particularly in legal documents. Over time, the term "indention" came to be used to describe the act of creating a small hollow or groove, especially in written or printed text, to mark the beginning of a paragraph or section.
