dent

noun

1. 1

   A shallow deformation in the surface of an object, produced by an impact.

   The crash produced a dent in the left side of the car.

2. 2

   figurativeA minor effect made upon something.

   to make a dent

   "Case Of You" (#67, 1980), a single on the Scotti Brothers label, was Frank's first chart dent.

   The transitoriness perhaps makes viral content the most representative form of culture in the twenty-first century: an era of vast quantities, deep specificity, and breakneck speed, where few individual artifacts, artworks, or conventions leave a dent in society or bend the curve of history.

3. 3

   A type of maize/corn with a relatively soft outer hull, and a soft type of starch that shrinks at maturity to leave an indentation in the surface of the kernel.

4. 4

   informalA sudden negative change, such as loss, damage, weakening, consumption or diminution, especially one produced by an external force, event or action

   That purchase put a bit of a dent in my wallet.

   Andy Carroll's first goals since his £35m move to Liverpool put a dent in Manchester City's Champions League hopes as they were emphatically swept aside at Anfield.

verb

1. 1

   To impact something, producing a dent.

2. 2

   To develop a dent or dents.

   Copper is soft and dents easily.

noun

1. 1

   A tooth, as of a card, a gear wheel, etc.

2. 2

   A slot or a wire in a reed.

   Centering for a weaving width of 15 7/15", sley 2 ends per dent in a 15-dent reed, or centering for a width of 15 5/10", sley 3 ends per dent in a 10-dent reed.

Forms

plural

dents

past tense

dented

past participle

dented

present participle

denting

third person singular

dents