A person who makes a deposition or gives testimony under oath, typically in writing rather than in court.
From Latin 'deponens,' the present participle of 'deponere.' In grammar, it also refers to verbs that have passive forms but active meanings, which 'put down' their passive appearance.
The term 'deponent verb' in Latin is wild because these verbs look passive but act active—like they're in disguise! For example, 'sequi' (to follow) looks passive but means something active, which is why linguists call it 'deponent.'
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