deponent gram. XV; one who makes a deposition XVI. — L. dēpōnēns, -ent-, prp. of dēpōnere lay aside, put down, deposit, (medL.) testify, f. DE- 1 + pōnere place, lay; see -ENT. Deponent verbs in Latin were regarded as having ‘laid aside’ a passive meaning.

DEPONENT

An individual who, under oath or affirmation, gives out-of-court testimony in a deposition. A deponent is someone who gives evidence or acts as a witness. The testimony of a deponent is written and carries the deponent's signature.