Word
depose
Phoneticsde·pose
US/dɪˈpoʊz/
UK/dɪpˈəʊz/
Definition
v. to remove someone from a position of power, especially a leader or ruler. You use this when talking about governments, courts, or official jobs.
v. to remove from office or a position of authority, especially by legal or formal process. Typically takes a human direct object — the person deposed.
Examples
“The court deposed the corrupt official.”
“Witnesses were called to depose under oath about what they had seen during the incident.”
“Though the military had the strength to depose the aging dictator by force, they chose instead to support a constitutional process that would preserve institutional legitimacy.”
Examples
simple
“The court deposed the corrupt official.”
contextual
“Witnesses were called to depose under oath about what they had seen during the incident.”
complex
“Though the military had the strength to depose the aging dictator by force, they chose instead to support a constitutional process that would preserve institutional legitimacy.”
Usage
Transitive — always takes a direct object. In legal contexts, also means 'to testify under oath', especially in American English.
Real-World Examples
“Niger's military ruler, Gen Tiani, who was sworn in as its president last year after he deposed its elected leader, has also not publicly addressed the incident.” “The tablet records a royal grant and indicates that Tiglath-pileser probably ruled from roughly 763-762 BCE before eventually being deposed.” Etymology
Recorded since c. 1300, from Middle English, from Old French deposer, itself from de- ("down") + poser ("to put, place"). The related deposition appears in 1494 in the legal sense; that word belongs to deposit, but deposit and depose became thoroughly confused.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/depose