In`den*ta"tion (?), n.
1.
The act of indenting or state of being indented.
2.
A notch or recess, in the margin or border of anything; as, the indentations of a leaf, of the coast, etc.
3.
A recess or sharp depression in any surface.
4. Print. (a)
The act of beginning a line or series of lines at a little distance within the flush line of the column or page, as in the common way of beginning the first line of a paragraph.
(b)
The measure of the distance; as, an indentation of one em, or of two ems.
Hanging, ∨ Reverse, indentation, indentation of all the lines of a paragraph except the first, which is a full line.
© Webster 1913.