Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Deposition has 6 different meanings across 2 categories:
the natural process of laying down a deposit of something
"The deposition of silt by the river gradually filled in the low-lying valley over centuries."
(law) a pretrial interrogation of a witness; usually conducted in a lawyer's office
"The lawyer scheduled the deposition at his firm to question the key witness before the trial began."
the act of putting something somewhere
"The careful deposition of the fragile artifact required a team of specialists to ensure its safety during transport."
the act of deposing someone; removing a powerful person from a position or office
"The military coup resulted in the deposition of the dictator after three days of intense fighting."
The removal of someone from office.
"The scandal led to his deposition from the position of mayor last week."
In plain English: A deposition is when someone gives their official story about an event to be used later in court without being there physically.
"The deposition was postponed until next week due to heavy rain."
The removal of Jesus from the cross.
"The deposition was a solemn ceremony where Jesus' body was taken down from the cross after his crucifixion."
The word deposition comes from the Latin depositio, which originally meant a putting down or laying aside. It entered English through Old French and Middle English with this same core meaning of removing something from its place.