deponent

[ dih-poh-nuh nt ]
/ dɪˈpoʊ nənt /

adjective

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

noun

Law. a person who testifies under oath, especially in writing.
Classical Greek and Latin Grammar. a deponent verb, as Latin loquor.

Origin of deponent

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

Example sentences from the Web for deponent

British Dictionary definitions for deponent

deponent
/ (dɪˈpəʊnənt) /

adjective

grammar (of a verb, esp in Latin) having the inflectional endings of a passive verb but the meaning of an active verb

noun

grammar a deponent verb
law
  1. a person who makes an affidavit
  2. a person, esp a witness, who makes a deposition

Word Origin for deponent

C16: from Latin dēpōnēns putting aside, putting down, from dēpōnere to put down, depone