deponent Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a person who testifies or gives a deposition
    testifier; deposer.

WordNet

De*po"nent noun
Etymology
L. deponenes, -entis, laying down. See Depone, v. t.
Definitions
  1. (Law) One who deposes or testifies under oath; one who gives evidence; usually, one who testifies in writing.
  2. (Gr. & Lat. Gram.) A deponent verb. Syn. -- Deponent, Affiant. These are legal terms describing a person who makes a written declaration under oath, with a view to establish certain facts. An affiant is one who makes an affidavit, or declaration under oath, in order to establish the truth of what he says. A deponenet is one who makes a deposition, or gives written testimony under oath, to be used in the trial of some case before a court of justice. See under Deposition.
De*po"nent adjective
Etymology
L. deponens, -entis, laying down (its proper passive meaning), p. pr. of deponere: cf. F. déponent. See Depone.
Definitions
  1. (Gram.) Having a passive form with an active meaning, as certain latin and Greek verbs.

Webster 1913