deponent
5 synonyms for deponent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who gives sworn evidence in writing, especially in an affidavit or a deposition used in court proceedings.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use deponent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the deponent states
deponent's affidavit
deponent verb
Formal and technical: legal documents, and classical grammar.
Etymology
From Latin deponere 'to lay down, put aside', used in later legal Latin of laying down testimony; the grammatical sense reflects a verb having 'laid aside' its passive meaning.
Full origin of deponent →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a deponent and a witness?
Every deponent is a witness, but not every witness is a deponent. Deponent is the narrower legal term for someone whose evidence is given on oath in writing or at a deposition, rather than spoken from the witness box at trial.
What is the difference between a deponent and an affiant?
They mean much the same thing. Affiant is the usual American term for the person swearing an affidavit; deponent is the more common word in England, Wales, India and other common-law jurisdictions.
