deponent
Pronunciation: /dɪˈpəʊnənt/
Definition of deponent
adjective
Grammarnoun
Origin:
late Middle English: from Latin deponent- 'laying aside, putting down' (in medieval Latin 'testifying'), from the verb deponere, from de- 'down' + ponere 'place'. The use in grammar arose from the notion that the verb had ‘laid aside’ the passive sense (although in fact these verbs were originally reflexive)