/di poz"it/ , v.t.
1. to place for safekeeping or in trust, esp. in a bank account: He deposited his paycheck every Friday.
2. to give as security or in part payment.
3. to deliver and leave (an item): Please deposit your returned books with the librarian.
4. to insert (a coin) in a coin-operated device: Deposit a quarter and push the button.
5. to put, place, or set down, esp. carefully or exactly: She deposited the baby in the crib.
6. to lay or throw down by a natural process; precipitate: The river deposited soil at its mouth.
v.i.
7. to be placed, inserted, precipitated, left for safekeeping, given as security or in partial payment, etc.
n.
8. money placed in a bank account or an instance of placing money in a bank account.
9. anything given as security or in part payment: The boy returned the bottle and got his five-cent deposit back. They made a deposit on the house and signed a ten-year mortgage.
10. anything laid away or entrusted to another for safekeeping: A large deposit of jewels was stolen from the hotel safe.
11. a place for safekeeping; depository.
12. something precipitated, delivered and left, or thrown down, as by a natural process: a deposit of soil.
13. the natural sediment of wine in a bottle.
14. a coating of metal deposited on something, usually by an electric current.
15. a natural accumulation or occurrence, esp. of oil or ore: a mountain range with many rich deposits of gold.
[ 1615-25; depositus laid down, ptp. of deponere; see DEPONE ]
Syn. 1. bank, save, store. 15. lode, vein, pocket.