DEPOSITIONS
Noun
depositions
plural of deposition
Source: Wiktionary
DEPOSITION
Dep`o*si"tion, n. Etym: [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.
Note: 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)
Definition: The act of laying down one's testimony in writing; also,
testimony laid or taken down in writting, under oath or affirmation,
befor 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition