Deposition, n.
Etymology: [L. depositio, fr. deponere: cf. F. déposition. See Deposit.]
1. The act of depositing or deposing; the act of laying down or thrown down; precipitation. The deposition of rough sand and rolled pebbles. H. Miller.
2. The act of bringing before the mind; presentation. The influence of princes upon the dispositions of their courts needs not the deposition of their examples, since it hath the authority of a known principle. W. Montagu.
3. The act of setting aside a sovereign or a public officer; deprivation of authority and dignity; displacement; removal.
Note: A deposition differs from an abdication, an abdication being voluntary, and a deposition compulsory.
5 more senses
4. That which is deposited; matter laid or thrown down; sediment; alluvial matter; as, banks are sometimes depositions of alluvial matter.
5. An opinion, example, or statement, laid down or asserted; a declaration.
6. (Law)
The act of laying down one's testimony in writing; also, testimony laid or taken down in writting, under oath or affirmation, befor some competent officer, and in reply to interrogatories and cross-interrogatories.
Syn. -- Deposition, Affidavit. Affidavit is the wider term. It denotes any authorized ex parte written statement of a person, sworn to or affirmed before some competent magistrate. It is made without cross- examination, and requires no notice to an opposing party. It is generally signed by the party making it, and may be drawn up by himself or any other person. A deposition is the written testimony of a witness, taken down in due form of law, and sworn to or affirmed by the deponent. It must be taken before some authorized magistrate, and upon a prescribed or reasonable notice to the opposing party, that may attend and cross-examine. It is generally written down from the mouth of the witness by the magistrate, or some person for him, and in his presence.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for deposition; he lists it under testimony.
Where he writes about it:
Deposition and affidavit denote testimony reduced to writing; the deposition differs from the affidavit in that the latter is voluntary and without cross-examination, while the former is made under interrogatories and subject to cross-examination. — from testimony