Subpoena

1. (n) (law) 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. 2. (v) (law) To summon (someone) with a subpoena (noun 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). 3. (v) (law) To require (a document or other evidence) to be produced before a court, or at a deposition or some other legal proceeding. 4. (n) (figurative) A motive or thing which can compel or demand something, or summon someone. 5. (v) (figurative) To compel or summon (someone or something); to demand. 6. (n) (historical, law) A 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.