What does "subpoena" mean?
Subpoena: A writ commanding the attendance in court, as a witness, of the person on whom it is served, under a penalty; the process by which a defendant in equity is commanded to appear and answer the plaintiff's bill. [Written also subpena.] Subpoena ad testificandum (. Etym: [NL.] A writ used to procure the attendance of a witness for the purpose of testifying. -- Subpoena duces tecum (. Etym: [NL.] A writ which requires a witness to attend and bring certain documents.
Additional senses
- 2.To serve with a writ of subpoena; to command attendance in court by a legal writ, under a penalty in case of disobedience.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00