subpoena

noun

1. 1

   A writ (“written order”) requiring someone to appear in court, or at a deposition or some other legal proceeding, as a witness to give testimony (a subpoena ad testificandum) or to produce evidence (subpoena duces tecum), in default of which the person may be punished.

   Nothing vnder a Sub-pœna can dravv him to London, and vvhen hee is there, hee ſtickes faſt vppon euery obiect, caſts his eyes avvay vpon gazing, and becomes the prey of euery cut-purſe.

   For the worthy magistrate, determined to omit no chance of doing Effie justice, and to leave her sister no apology for not giving the evidence which she was supposed to possess, had caused the ordinary citation, or sub-pœna, of the Scottish criminal court, to be served upon her by an officer during his conference with David.

   "He won't be waging wars all the world – he'll be waging 'warsuits,'" Noah said. "Droning people with subpoenas all over the globe."

   I hereby request that the committee hold the subpoena in abeyance and delay any vote on whether to recommend a citation of contempt for noncompliance with the subpoena, pending the president's determination of this question.

2. 2

   historicalA writ requiring a defendant to appear in court to answer a plaintiff's claim (a subpoena ad respondendum); in England and Wales, and Ireland, this writ was formerly issued by the Court of Chancery at the plaintiff's request to commence a suit, but the procedure was abolished in 1852.

   [I]f the defendant, on ſervice of the ſubpoena, does not appear vvithin the time limited by the rules of the court, and plead, demur, or anſvver to the bill, he is then ſaid to be in contempt; and the reſpective proceſſes of contempt are in ſucceſſive order avvarded againſt him.

   For to-day in this arena, / Summoned by a stern subpœna, / Edwin, sued by Angelina— / Shortly will appear.

3. 3

   figurativeA motive or thing which can compel or demand something, or summon someone.

   Your meetings cal'd the Ball, to vvhich appeare, / As to the Court of Pleaſure, all your gallants, / And Ladies thither bound by a Subpena / Of Venus, […]

verb

1. 1

   To summon (someone) with a subpoena (noun sense 1) to appear in court, or at a deposition or some other legal proceeding, as a witness to give testimony or to produce evidence; to serve a subpoena on (someone).

   Poor Willy! he would not even subpœna any of his old friends as to his general character. But even if he had, what could the Court do since he pleaded guilty?

   I am just reminded that the president, who is also transfer-agent, of the Black Rapids Coal Company, happens to be on board here, and, having been subpœnaed as witness in a stock case on the docket in Kentucky, has his transfer-book with him.

   Mr. Elgood and his daughter were both subpœnaed for the adjourned inquest.

   Volunteer no private information and express no opinion in public, especially in the Press, concerning medico-legal causes with which you are or are not personally concerned; otherwise you may be subpoenaed to support your published views without having seen previously the statements of claim or of defence.

2. 2

   To require (a document or other evidence) to be produced before a court, or at a deposition or some other legal proceeding.

   I have just recollected that you ought to have sub-pœnaᵈ in Goodwins & Thomass cases Goodwins comes on the second monday in October. You must send up for them.

   In a letter to the House Judiciary Committee, the department accused Democrats of being unreasonable in subpoenaing that material.

3. 3

   figurativeTo compel or summon (someone or something); to demand.

   We wish to subpœna the public to our characters.

Forms

plural

subpoenas, subpoenae, subpoenæ

past tense

subpoenaed

past participle

subpoenaed

present participle

subpoenaing

third person singular

subpoenas