deponent

American  

[dih-poh-nuhnt] / dɪˈpoʊ nənt /

adjective

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

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of deponent

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

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

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

Returning to Alki it was a little rough and the vegetables were well moistened with salt chuck, as were the passengers also, probably, deponent saith not.

From Project Gutenberg