Part 180

Dep`o*si"tion (?), n. [L. depositio, fr. deponere: cf. F. déposition. See Deposit.] 1. The act of depositing or deposing; the act of laying down or thrown down; precipitation.

The deposition of rough sand and rolled pebbles.

H. Miller.

2. The act of bringing before the mind; presentation.

The influence of princes upon the dispositions of their courts needs not the deposition of their examples, since it hath the authority of a known principle.

W. Montagu.

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3. The act of setting aside a sovereign or a public officer; deprivation of authority and dignity; displacement; removal.

A deposition differs from an abdication, an abdication being voluntary, and a deposition compulsory.

4. That which is deposited; matter laid or thrown down; sediment; alluvial matter; as, banks are sometimes depositions of alluvial matter.

5. An opinion, example, or statement, laid down or asserted; a declaration.

6. (Law) The act of laying down one's testimony in writing; also, testimony laid or taken down in writing, under oath or affirmation, before some competent officer, and in reply to interrogatories and cross-interrogatories.

Syn. -- Deposition, Affidavit. Affidavit is the wider term. It denotes any authorized ex parte written statement of a person, sworn to or affirmed before some competent magistrate. It is made without cross-examination, and requires no notice to an opposing party. It is generally signed by the party making it, and may be drawn up by himself or any other person. A deposition is the written testimony of a witness, taken down in due form of law, and sworn to or affirmed by the deponent. It must be taken before some authorized magistrate, and upon a prescribed or reasonable notice to the opposing party, that may attend and cross-examine. It is generally written down from the mouth of the witness by the magistrate, or some person for him, and in his presence.

De*pos"i*tor (d*pz"*tr), n. [L., fr. deponere. See Depone.] One who makes a deposit, especially of money in a bank; -- the correlative of depository.

De*pos"i*to*ry (-t*r), n.; pl. Depositories (-rz). 1. A place where anything is deposited for sale or keeping; as, warehouse is a depository for goods; a clerk's office is a depository for records.

2. One with whom something is deposited; a depositary.

I am the sole depository of my own secret, and it shall perish with me.

Junius.

||De*pos"i*tum (-tm), n. [L.] Deposit.

De*pos"i*ture (-tr; 135), n. The act of depositing; deposition. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

De"pot (d"p; French d*p"; 277), n. [F. dépôt, OF. depost, fr. L. depositum a deposit. See Deposit, n.] 1. A place of deposit for the storing of goods; a warehouse; a storehouse.

The islands of Guernsey and Jersey are at present the great depots of this kingdom.

Brit. Critic (1794).

2. (Mil.) (a) A military station where stores and provisions are kept, or where recruits are assembled and drilled. (b) (Eng. & France) The headquarters of a regiment, where all supplies are received and distributed, recruits are assembled and instructed, infirm or disabled soldiers are taken care of, and all the wants of the regiment are provided for.

3. A railway station; a building for the accommodation and protection of railway passengers or freight. [U. S.]

Syn. -- See Station.

Dep"per (dp"pr), a. Deeper. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Dep`ra*va"tion (dp`r*v"shn), n. [L. depravitio, from depravare: cf. F. dépravation. See Deprave.] 1. Detraction; depreciation. [Obs.]