I. -zəˌtōrē, -ȯr-, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: deposit (I) + -ory
1. : a person or group with which something and especially something nonmaterial is deposited for preservation or safekeeping
a depository of ancient tradition
2.
[Late Latin depositorium, from Latin depositus + -orium -ory]
a. : a place where something is deposited or stored (as for safekeeping or convenience)
an official depository for United States government publications — Bulletin of Bates College
the original furniture is stored away in hidden depositories of the château — Arnold Bennett
Congress officially became the depository of Burma's gift to America — Cecil Hobbs
specifically : a bank chosen for the depositing of government funds — compare depository library
b. : a device consisting of a bank vault and a mechanism on the outside wall of the bank building through which deposits may be inserted into the vault during the hours the bank is closed
II. adjective
: of or relating to a depository