Latin for Lawyers

DEPLETE, DEPLETION

DEPLETE, DEPLETION [L. deplere / to empty out; to consume] To consume or use up. The act of using up or reducing in quantity or content. In tax law, a depletion allowance is a tax deduction for the consumption by a business enterprise of natural resources such as gas, oil, timber, etc. DEPONENT [L. de + ponere / to place, put down] One who states under oath that the facts he gives are true. A witness or affiant under oath. A person who gives testimony by deposition or affidavit. A depo sition is a document which contains statements made and sworn to by a depo nent. See DEPOSITION DEPORT, DEPORTATION [L. deportare / to carry away] To banish or send somone out of a country. The forced removal to a foreign country by the United States of an alien who is deemed undesirable or has entered the country illegally. DEPOSE [L. depono, deponere / to put down, lay down. To lay aside or deposit] To remove from office, as to depose a king. To testify or aver under oath. To take and record the testimony of a witness or party other than at a trial. DEPOSIT [L. deponere / to put down, deposit] To entrust for safekeeping, as to deposit funds with a bank. Anything left or entrusted for safekeeping, as funds in an attorney's escrow account. Also, a payment on account of a larger obligation, as a deposit on an item purchased in a store or against the purchase price of real property. DEPOSITARY A person or institution receiving money or other valuable in trust or for safe keeping. A bailee. DEPOSITION [L. deponere / to deposit] A statement under oath made by a witness or party in response to questions asked either orally or in writing. Also, the document in which such questions and answers are recorded. Also, the hearing or other process during which the questions and answers are transcribed. Depositions are used to preserve the testimony of witnesses who may be unavailable for trial, or as part of the pro cess of discovering the evidence of opposing parties before trial. They are usually conducted in a lawyer's office under circumstances which preserve the ability of the parties to submit any objection for decision by the court. See DEPONENT

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