indentation

Etymology

indent + -ation

noun

1. The act of indenting or state of being indented.
2. A notch or recess, in the margin or border of anything.
   the indentations of a leaf
   indentations of the coast
3. A recess or sharp depression in any surface.
4. (typography) The act of beginning a line or series of lines at a little distance within the flush line of the column or page, as in the common way of beginning the first line of a paragraph.
   The resulting document does not contain the indentation and line breaks found in the original document. 2007, Robert Richards, Pro PHP XML and Web Services, Apress, page 502
5. A measure of the distance from the flush line.
   an indentation of one em
6. (law) A division unit of a piece of law distinguished by its indentation or by a dash.
   The explanatory report acknowledges that the result of the rule under the second indentation can appear arbitrary. 2013, Jenny Papettas, The Law Applicable to Cross Border Road Traffic Accidents, Birmingham, page 204