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subpoena definition

sub·poena (sə pē′nə)

noun

a written legal order directing a person to appear in court to give testimony, show specified records, etc.

Etymology: ME suppena < ML subpena < L sub poena, lit., under penalty: see sub- & pain

transitive verb subpoenaed -·naed, subpoenaing -·na·ing

  1. to summon with such an order
  2. ☆ to order that (specified records, documents, etc.) be brought to a court
Also sp. subpena sub·pe′na

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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