in·den·ture /in-'den-chər/ n [Old French endenture an indented document, from endenter to indent (divide a document into sections with irregular edges that can be matched for authentication), from en- thoroughly + dent tooth]
1: a document stating the terms under which a security (as a debenture or other bond) is issued; specif in bankruptcy law: a document (as a mortgage or deed of trust) under which there is outstanding security constituting a claim against a debtor, a claim secured by a lien on any of the debtor's property, or an equity security of the debtor
2: a deed or other document to which two or more parties (as both grantor and grantee) are bound
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.