v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Deponed p. pr. & vb. n. Deponing. ] [ L. deponere, depositum, to put down, in LL., to assert under oath; de- + ponere to put, place. See Position, and cf. Deposit. ] 1. To lay, as a stake; to wager. [ Obs. ] Hudibras. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To lay down. [ R. ] Southey. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To assert under oath; to depose. [ A Scotticism ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Sprot deponeth that he entered himself thereafter in conference. State Trials(1606). [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To testify under oath; to depose; to bear witness. [ A Scotticism ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The fairy Glorians, whose credibility on this point can not be called in question, depones to the confinement of Merlin in a tree. Dunlop. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. deponenes, -entis, laying down. See Depone, v. t. ] 1. (Law) One who deposes or testifies under oath; one who gives evidence; usually, one who testifies in writing. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. deponens, -entis, laying down (its proper passive meaning), p. pr. of deponere: cf. F. déponent. See Depone. ] (Gram.) Having a passive form with an active meaning, as certain latin and Greek verbs. [ 1913 Webster ]