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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Depone, v. Also: depon, depoun. [L. dēpōnere. Also in later Eng. use, but rare.]

1. intr. To make a formal or sworn statement; to declare or testify. 1456 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 15.
Thir [persons] … be thair grit aith sworne … deponit and delyuerit in maner and forme as followis 1456 Hay I. 262/10.
Gif … the tane of thame producis his witnes, ande thai deponis; and the tothir producis the samyn witnes, and thai depone 1482 Acta Aud. *106/1.
That the saide James suid compere personaly and depone and geif his aith apon the payment of the sade annuell 1539 Reg. Cupar A. II. 3.
Thir witnes … deponis, vpoun thair aitht sworn thairto, as efter followis 1622-6 Bisset I. 204/9.
All witnese … delayand to compeir may be compelled to compeir and depone 1644 Strathbogie Presb. 47.
The other tuo vitnesses deponeit conforme 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i. xi. § 5.
Witnesses otherways declinable, as cousines, servants, and witnesses who depone only upon credulity

b. tr. To declare (one's opinion, or the truth). 1456 Hay II. 152/14.
In sum cas it is nocht spedefull to ger thame opinly depone thair counsaile in presence of all 1493 Acta Conc. 272/1.
The witnes … beand … sworne to depone the verite in the said mater

c. To testify or declare upon oath that, etc. Also with direct clause as object, or with accus. and infin. 1466 Acta Aud. 5/1.
The quhilk Robert … deponit and made faith that the said Ranald … gafe our the said office to him 1498 Dunferm. B. Rec. 79.
The sadis persounis … deponit … that the sade grvnde wes wnstrenyeable for the sade annuall 1504 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I. 63.
Williame Malvin [etc.] … deponit be thar aiths that thai … for witnes was tane 1556 Peebles B. Rec. 234.
William Rechartsone deponis that he ȝeid furth of Robert Scot hous 1592 Prestwick B. Rec. 82.
The inqueist … , being examinat vpoun thair consienceis, hes deponit and declarit that thai think [etc.] 1594 Paisley B. Rec. 157.
Quha being sworne in his presens deponit the samin to be awand 1623 Elgin Rec. II. 180.
Bessie Hay deponit scho saw the bairne strik hir with his elbok 1660 Melrose R. Rec. I. 279.
Defender … depounet he is awin nothing of the last acclame 1687 Misc. Spald. C. V. 237.
John … deponed upon aith that he saw them both at the ground

d. To allow or employ to testify. 1490 Acta Aud. 139/2.
The saidis lordis haid gevin a decrett contrare him … twa witnes alanerly beand deponit thairintill

2. To take or swear (an oath). 1503 Dunferm. B. Rec. 127.
Iohne Clerk wes made burges be ressone [of] Alexander Clerk … and deponit the great aitht tharone 1505 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I. 65.
Thomas Bisset … deponit the gret aithe that the said Thomas … pundit ane quhit hors 1549 Compl. 136/27.
Brutus … gart them depone ane serment that thai suld al concur … in ane purpose

3. To remove from office; to depose. Also refl. 1531 Bell. Boece I. 131.
Swetonius, legat of Britane, for his arrogance and cruelte … , was deponit Id. Livy I. 129/19.
Gif he … had deponit ony of the kingis afore rehersit fra thare empire and kingdome Ib. II. 148/21.
Owthir sal thai depone thare king … or ellis the king … sal depone him self

4. To lay down, resign, give up. 1533 Bell. Livy II. 99/31.
Eftir that he had causit the maister of chevelrie to depone his office 1533 Boece ii. iii. 61.
Thare suld he depone princelie ornamentis and denude him of the hie authorite 1602 Colville Parænese Ep. 2.
To degrad thair self of such dignitie as in thair opinion thai can not depone vithout oppin discredit

b. To put down, suppress. 1533 Bell. Livy II. 92/5.
How sindri vane religionis rising amang the Romanis war deponit

c. To lower, cause to overhang. c1590 J. Stewart 34/145.
Hiddius rocks obscuirlie did depon Thair feirfull fronts abowe that perrelus part

5. To deposit. 1581 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II. 407.
It sall be lesum to the said James … to depon and consing the samyn [sum] in the handis of honorabyll men 1623 Perth Kirk S. 303.
George Wilson … deponit the eight merks … for his exemption from warding 1650 Foord Suppl. Decis. 394.
Captain Gray … who had deponed his money in David his hand