deponent

adjective

1. Classical Greek and Latin Grammar. (of a verb) appearing only in the passive or Greek middle-voice forms, but with active meaning.

noun

2. Law. a person who testifies under oath, especially in writing.
3. Classical Greek and Latin Grammar. a deponent verb, as Latin loquor.

adjective

1. grammar (of a verb, esp in Latin) having the inflectional endings of a passive verb but the meaning of an active verb

noun

2. grammar a deponent verb
3. law
   1. a person who makes an affidavit
   2. a person, esp a witness, who makes a deposition

adj.

1520s, originally grammatical (of verbs passive in form but active in sense), from Latin deponentem “putting down or aside,” present participle of deponere (see deposit (v.)). Noun meaning “one who makes a deposition” is from 1540s.