deponent

[ dih-poh-nuhnt ]

adjective

1. Classical Greek and Latin Grammar. (of a verb) appearing only in the passive or Greek middle-voice forms, but with active meaning.

noun

1. Law. a person who testifies under oath, especially in writing.
2. Classical Greek and Latin Grammar. a deponent verb, as Latin loquor.

deponent

/ dɪˈpəʊnənt /

adjective

1. grammar (of a verb, esp in Latin) having the inflectional endings of a passive verb but the meaning of an active verb

noun

1. grammar a deponent verb
2. law
   1. a person who makes an affidavit
   2. a person, esp a witness, who makes a deposition

Word History and Origins

Origin of deponent¹

1520–30; < Latin dēpōnent- (stem of dēpōnēns ) putting away ( Medieval Latin: testifying), present participle of dēpōnere. See depone, -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of deponent¹

C16: from Latin dēpōnēns putting aside, putting down, from dēpōnere to put down, depone

Example Sentences

Gubbins: I don’t know if that’s a real thing, but I do know that it is a common deponent practice to have to identify oneself in evidence they would be presented with.

From Los Angeles Times

The papers state: "The deponent did enquire whether it was possible to meet personally with the defendant, but the deponent was told that this was not possible."

From BBC

It is not unheard of for a judge, in a case with a reluctant deponent, to require that a deposition be taken in the courthouse so responses can be compelled if necessary.

From Washington Post

One of the most breathtaking things about #MeToo — just behind the iron-jawed fury of its deponents — is how swiftly and decisively it pulled conversations about sexual predation from the conceptual to the concrete.

From New York Times

I say, sit down! or I must give you in custody to one of the officers, I will show you, gentlemen, in what state of mind was the deponent when he made this declaration.

From Project Gutenberg