1. a person who gives sworn testimony, especially in a deposition
Usage: legal

1. describing a Latin verb that has passive form but active meaning
Usage: grammar; Latin

Examples

• The deponent swore to tell the truth during the deposition.
• The lawyer questioned the deponent about the events of that night.
• Each deponent must sign their testimony under oath.
• The deponent’s statement contradicted earlier witness accounts.
• In Latin class, we learned that deponent verbs look passive but mean active things.
• The verb ‘sequor’ is a common deponent verb meaning ‘I follow’.