DEPONENT

witness. One who gives information, on oath or affirmation, respecting some facts known to him, before a magistrate he who makes a deposition. A person who is being deposed or interrogated at a deposition. In practice. One who deposes (that is, testifies or makes oath in writing) to the. truth of certain facts; one who gives under oath testimony which is reduced to writing; one who makes oath to a written statement. The party making an affidavit is generally so called. The word “depone,” from which is derived “deponent.” has relation to the mode in which the oath is administered, (by the witness placing his hand upon the book of the holy evangelists,) and not as to whether the testimony is delivered orally or reduced to writing. “Deponent” is included in the term “witness,” but witness” is more general. Bliss v. Shuman, 47 Me. 248.