ETYM Latin depositio, from deponere: cf. French déposition. Related to Deposit.
Law, sworn testimony.
1. The act of deposing someone; SYN. dethronement.
2. The natural process of laying down a deposit of something.
3. Written declaration made under oath; SYN. affidavit, attestation.
In Christian art, a depiction of the body of Christ being taken down from the cross. Notable examples include van der Weyden’s Deposition about 1430 (Prado, Madrid) and Ruben’s Descent from the Cross 1612–14 (Notre-Dame Cathedral, Antwerp).