兩單詞均有“宣誓作證者”的含義，且有時(shí)兩個(gè)單詞可以互換使用，但兩者仍有一定差異。區(qū)別在于前者為自愿提供有關(guān)事實(shí)之宣誓書（affidavit)者[1];而后者指對(duì)在質(zhì)詢和詰問下提供口供宣誓書（deposition)者[2]。

[1 ]“Affiant is the person who makes and subscribes an affidavit. The word is used, in this sense, interchangeably with deponent. But the latter term should be reserved as the designation of one who makes a deposition. " Cf. The Publisher's Editorial Staff, Black's Law Dictionary, abridged 6th edition, at p. 36，West Publishing Co. (1991 ).
[2 ]“A person who gives a deposition. ” Cf. Linda Picard Wood, J. D.，Merriam Webster's Dictionary of Law, at p. 133, Merriam-Webster，Incorporated (1996 ).