Dĕp′o-sĭ′tion, n.

“The deposition of rough sand and rolled pebbles.” H. Miller. 2. The act of laying down or bringing before; 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. Montaigne.

3. (Law.) The act of laying down one’s testimony in writing; written affirmation.
4. The act of setting aside a public officer; displacement; removal. A deposition differs from abdication, an abdication being voluntary, and a deposition compulsory.
5. That which is deposited; matter laid or thrown down; sediment; incrustation; as, banks are sometimes depositions of alluvial matter.
6. An opinion, example, or statement laid down or asserted; a declaration.
7. (Law.) 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 he 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.