—n.
1 a slight mark or hollow in a surface made by, or as if by, a blow with a hammer etc.
2 a noticeable effect (lunch made a dent in our funds).
—v.tr.
1 mark with a dent.
2 have (esp. an adverse) effect on (the news dented our hopes).
Etymology: ME, prob. f INDENT(1)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.