The
deposition (from
Latin depositio cornuum, "taking off the horns") was a semi-official
initiation ritual which was common at
universities throughout Europe from the
Middle Ages until the 18th century. The ritual was introduced at German universities in the late 15th century, probably from the influential
University of Paris. Models may have included the
Freisprechung ritual in artisan
guilds, where apprentices were admitted to the status of journeymen.