n. An order issued under the authority of a court or other governmental body, commanding a person to appear and give testimony or to release certain evidence. tr.v. sub·poe·naed, sub·poe·na·ing, sub·poe·nas To serve or summon with such an order. [Middle English suppena, from Medieval Latin sub poenā, under a penalty (from the opening words of the writ) : Latin sub, under; see SUB– + Latin poenā, ablative of poena, penalty; see kwei-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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