Sworn testimony given outside of court, typically recorded for later use in legal proceedings.
From Latin depositio (a laying down), from deponere (to put down, testify). Originally meant 'removal from office,' but evolved to mean formal testimony laying down facts.
Depositions represent a fascinating legal innovation where testimony is 'deposited' like money in a bank - recorded and stored to be 'withdrawn' and used later when needed, creating a permanent record of what people said under oath.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.