dent

noun

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. (figuratively)A 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. 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. (broadly, informal)A 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.”

5. A tooth, as of a card, a gear wheel, etc.
6. 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.”

verb

1. (transitive)To impact something, producing a dent.
2. (intransitive)To develop a dent or dents.

   “Copper is soft and dents easily.”

name

1. (countable, uncountable)A village and civil parish in Westmorland and Furness, Cumbria, England, previously in South Lakeland district (OS grid ref SD7086).
2. (countable, uncountable)A surname.