Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Deposition
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.
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 matter5.
An opinion, example, or statement, laid down or asserted; a declaration.
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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Deposition
DEPOSITION
,Noun.
1.
The act of laying or throwing down; as, soil is formed by the deposition of fine particles, during a flood.2.
That which is thrown down; that which is lodged; as, banks are sometimes depositions of alluvial matter.3.
The act of giving testimony under oath.4.
The attested written testimony of a witness; an affidavit.5.
The act of dethroning a king, or the degrading of a person from an office or station; a divesting of sovereignty, or of office and dignity; a depriving of clerical orders. A deposition differs from abdication; an abdication being voluntary, and a deposition, compulsory.