dent¹ (dĕnt)
n.

1. A depression in a surface made by pressure or a blow: a dent in the side of a car.
2. Informal. A significant, usually diminishing effect or impression: The loss put a dent in the team's confidence.
3. Informal. Meaningful progress; headway: at least made a dent in the work.

v., dent·ed, dent·ing, dents.

v.tr.
To make a dent in.

v.intr.
To become dented: a fender that dents easily.

[Middle English dent, variant of dint, blow, from Old English dynt.]

dent² (dĕnt)
n.
See tooth (sense 3).

[French. See dentist.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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