English Idioms
Depose (Verb)
Pronunciation: [dee-'poz]
Definition 1: To remove from office or power.
Definition 2: To state or affirm in a legal affidavit (deposition).
Usage 2: "Depose" originally meant "to lay down" and the noun was deposit "that which is laid down." Even though it retains that meaning today in some sciences, the noun "deposit" has taken over that meaning of "depose" among the general populace. Currently the noun for "depose" is "deposition." Investigators depose witnesses by taking down their testimony in the legal form of a deposition. Such witnesses (or "deponents") depone what they know in a deposition.
Suggested usage: Of course, the current US administration would love to depose Saddam Hussein from his presidency of Iraq but chief UN arms inspector Hans Blix would settle for deposing him for his knowledge of Iraqi arms. Although "depose" and "depone" are used mostly in the legal system, occasions for their use arise around the house: "Biff vigorously deponed that it was his sister's friends who ate all the chicken, not his." Using today's word instead of "swore on a stack of Bibles" saves you five words while raising the level of conversation several notches.
Etymology: From Old French "deposer," an alteration of Latin deponere, "to put down." Hence today's word is also etymologically related to depone "testify (under oath)" with the [n] changed to [s], probably under the influence of French poser "put." (I adamantly depone that Deb Griffiths of Harrisburg.
Depose (Verb)
Pronunciation: [dee-'poz]
Definition 1: To remove from office or power.
Definition 2: To state or affirm in a legal affidavit (deposition).
Usage 2: "Depose" originally meant "to lay down" and the noun was deposit "that which is laid down." Even though it retains that meaning today in some sciences, the noun "deposit" has taken over that meaning of "depose" among the general populace. Currently the noun for "depose" is "deposition." Investigators depose witnesses by taking down their testimony in the legal form of a deposition. Such witnesses (or "deponents") depone what they know in a deposition.
Suggested usage: Of course, the current US administration would love to depose Saddam Hussein from his presidency of Iraq but chief UN arms inspector Hans Blix would settle for deposing him for his knowledge of Iraqi arms. Although "depose" and "depone" are used mostly in the legal system, occasions for their use arise around the house: "Biff vigorously deponed that it was his sister's friends who ate all the chicken, not his." Using today's word instead of "swore on a stack of Bibles" saves you five words while raising the level of conversation several notches.
Etymology: From Old French "deposer," an alteration of Latin deponere, "to put down." Hence today's word is also etymologically related to depone "testify (under oath)" with the [n] changed to [s], probably under the influence of French poser "put." (I adamantly depone that Deb Griffiths of Harrisburg.
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