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dent (n.)

early 14c., "a strike or blow," dialectal variant of Middle English dint, dunt (see dint); sense of "indentation, hollow mark made by a blow or pressure" is by 1560s, apparently by influence of indent.

dent (v.)

"make a dent or small hollow in by a blow or pressure," late 14c., from dent (n.). Middle English had dinten, dunten "beat with blows" (mid-13c.), from the earlier form of the noun. Related: Dented; denting.

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Definitions of dent from WordNet
1
dent (n.)
an appreciable consequence (especially a lessening);
it made a dent in my bank account
dent (n.)
a depression scratched or carved into a surface;
Synonyms: incision / scratch / prick / slit
dent (n.)
an impression in a surface (as made by a blow);
Synonyms: ding / gouge / nick
2
dent (v.)
make a depression into;
The bicycle dented my car
Synonyms: indent
From wordnet.princeton.edu