indentures of apprenticeship
(gcide) | 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] |