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