Geography, Geology, Natural sciences Sediment or rock that is not native to its present location or is different from the surrounding material. Sometimes refers to ore or gems.
Newly discovered oil and gas deposits at Nan-ch'ung in Szechwan also promise to be of increasing importance.1963, Yuan-li Wu, “The Infant Petroleum Industry”, in Economic Development and the Use of Energy Resources in Communist China, Frederick A. Praeger, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 178:
2
Law Bailment of personal property to be kept gratuitously for the bailor (depositor) and without any benefit to the bailee (depositary), e.g. for storage, carriage, repair, etc.
3
Banking, Business Money placed in a bank account, as for safekeeping or to earn interest.
make a deposit (put money in an account)
4
Anything left behind on a surface.
a mineral deposit
a deposit of seaweed on the shore
1 more example
a deposit of jam on my countertop
5
Business, Finance A sum of money or other asset given as an initial payment, to show good faith, or to reserve something for purchase.
They put down a deposit on the apartment.
6
A sum of money given as a security for a borrowed item, which will be given back when the item is returned, e.g., a bottle deposit or can deposit
Etymology Learned borrowing from Latin depositus, past participle of depono (“put down”). Doublet of depot.
1
To lay down; to place; to put.
A crocodile deposits her eggs in the sand.
The waters deposited a rich alluvium.
2 more examples
This fear is deposited in conscience.1660, Jeremy Taylor, Ductor Dubitantium, or the Rule of Conscience in All Her General Measures; […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: […] James Flesher, for Richard Royston […], →OCLC:
The lights of Luluabourg disappeared, and we were in the blackness of the African night, which was continuously pierced by the showers of red sparks ejected skywards and red hot ashes deposited on the track as the fireman rocked his fire.1958 February 23, Arthur F. Beckenham, “A Journey in the Belgian Congo”, in Railway Magazine, page 93:
2
To lay up or away for safekeeping; to put up; to store.
to deposit goods in a warehouse
3
To entrust one's assets to the care of another. Sometimes done as collateral.
4
To put money or funds into an account.
I had to deposit two months' rent into my landlord's account before he gave me the keys.
5
To lay aside; to rid oneself of.
reform and deposit his error1654, Henry Hammond, Of Schism: or a Defence of the Church of England: