n.
- a sum of money placed in a bank or other account.
- a sum payable as a first instalment or as a pledge.
▸a returnable sum paid to cover possible loss or damage.
- a layer or body of accumulated matter.
- the action of depositing something.
v.
(deposits, depositing, deposited)
- put or set down in a specific place.
▸lay down naturally as a layer or covering.
- store or entrust with someone for safe keeping.
▸pay as a deposit.
Phrase
- lose one's deposit
(of a candidate in a UK parliamentary election) receive less than a certain proportion of the votes (thereby forfeiting a statutory financial deposit).
Derivative
Etymology
C16: from L. depositum (n.), med. L. depositare (v.), both from L. deposit-, deponere ‘lay aside’.