De*pos"it , n. [L. depositum, fr.
depositus, p. p. of deponere: cf. F. dépôt, OF. depost. See Deposit, v. t., and cf. Depot.]
1. That which is deposited, or laid or thrown down; as, a deposit in a flue; especially, matter
precipitated from a solution (as the siliceous deposits of hot springs), or that which
is mechanically deposited
(as the mud,
gravel, etc., deposits of a river).
The deposit already formed affording to the succeeding portion of the charged fluid a basis.
Kirwan.
2. (Mining) A natural occurrence of a useful mineral under the conditions to invite exploitation. Raymond.
3. That which is placed anywhere, or in any one's hands, for safe keeping; something intrusted to the care of another; esp., money lodged with a
bank or banker, subject to order; anything given as pledge or
security.
4. (Law) (a) A bailment of
money or goods to be kept gratuitously for the bailor. (b) Money lodged with a
party as earnest or security for the performance of a duty assumed by the person depositing.
5. A place of deposit; a depository. [R.]
Bank of deposit. See under Bank. -- In deposit, or On deposit, in trust or safe
keeping as a deposit; as,
coins were received on deposit.
De*pos"it (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deposited;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Depositing.]
[L. depositus, p. p. of
deponere. See Depone, and cf. Deposit, n.]
1. To lay down; to place; to put;
to let fall
or throw down (as sediment); as, a crocodile deposits her eggs in the
sand; the waters
deposited a rich alluvium.
The fear is
deposited in conscience.
Jer. Taylor.
2. To lay
up or away for safe keeping; to put up; to store; as, to
deposit goods in a warehouse.
3. To lodge in some one's hands
for safe keeping; to commit to the
custody of another; to intrust; esp., to place in a bank, as a sum of money
subject to order.
4. To lay aside;
to rid one's self of.
[Obs.]
If what
is written prove useful to you, to the depositing that which I can not but deem
an error.
Hammond. &fist; Both this verb and the
noun following were formerly written deposite.
Hear it pronounced