Cryptic crossword clue
Witness quiet individual overwhelmed by depression 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word DEPONENT

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
D
E
P
O
N
E
N
T

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Witness" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case witness = deponent.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does DEPONENT mean?

DEPONENT noun
  1. A witness; especially one who gives information under oath, in a deposition concerning facts known to him or her.
  2. (grammar) A deponent verb.
DEPONENT adjective
  1. (of some Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, Scandinavian or Old Irish verbs) Having passive form (that is, conjugating like the passive voice), but an active meaning. (Such verbs, originally reflexive, are considered to have laid aside their passive meanings.)

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