\Dep`o*si"tion\, n. [L. depositio, fr. deponere: cf.
F. d['e]position. 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.
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 writing, under oath
   or affirmation, before some competent officer, and in
   reply to interrogatories and cross-interrogatories.
Syn: {Deposition}, {Affidavit}.
Usage: 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.