dent

dent¹ [dent] n

[Date: 1200-1300; Origin: dint]

1.) a hollow area in the surface of something, usually made by something hitting it

dent in

▪ There was a large dent in the passenger door.

2.) a reduction in the amount of something

dent in

▪ The trip made a big dent in our savings.

▪ Eight years of effort have hardly put a dent in drug trafficking.

dent ²

dent² v

1.) [I and T]

if you dent something, or if it dents, you hit or press it so that its surface is bent inwards

▪ No one was injured, but the car was scratched and dented.

2.) [T]

to damage or harm something

▪ The scandal has dented his reputation.