dent: Meaning and Definition of
dent
Pronunciation: (dent), [key]
— n.
- a hollow or depression in a surface, as from a blow.
- a noticeable effect, esp. of reduction: to leave a dent in one's savings; a dent in one's pride.
- to cause a person to take heed; make an impression: The doctor told him to stop smoking, but it didn't make a dent.
- to show initial progress; pass an initial stage of (work, thought, solving a problem, etc.): I haven't even made a dent in this pile of work.
—v.t.
- to make a dent in or on; indent: The impact dented the car's fender.
- to have the effect of reducing or slightly injuring: The caustic remark dented his ego.
—v.i.
- to show dents; become indented: Tin dents more easily than steel.
- to sink in, making a dent: Nails dent into metal.
dent
Pronunciation: (dent), [key]
— n.
- a toothlike projection, as a tooth of a gearwheel.
- the space between two wires through which the warp ends are drawn in the reed of a loom.
dent-
- var. ofbefore a vowel: dentin.
dent.
- dental.
- dentist.
- dentistry.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.