I. sub ‧ poe ‧ na 1 /səˈpiːnə, səb-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: sub poena 'under punishment' (the first words of the written order) ]
law a written order to come to a court of law and be a ↑ witness
II. subpoena 2 BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle subpoenaed ) [transitive]
law to order someone to come to a court of law and be a ↑ witness :
James was subpoenaed as a witness.
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THESAURUS
■ to tell someone they must do something
▪ order to tell someone that they must do something, using your official power or authority:
A policeman ordered him to stop.
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He ordered his men to put down their weapons.
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‘Don’t move,’ he ordered.
▪ tell to say to someone that they must do something:
Stop telling me what to do!
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The headmaster told me to wait outside his office.
▪ give orders/instructions to tell someone exactly what they must do:
The police chief gave orders to shoot.
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The doctor gave instructions that she should rest as much as possible.
▪ command used about a high-ranking person such as a general, captain, or king ordering someone to do something:
The general commanded the troops to fall back.
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They believe that the Lord has commanded them to do this.
▪ instruct formal to tell someone to do something, especially when you tell them exactly how it should be done:
The architect was instructed to keep the plans simple.
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She took three tablets every day, as instructed by her doctor.
▪ direct to give someone an official or legal order to do something:
The judge directed the jury to find her not guilty.
▪ subpoena /səˈpiːnə, səb-/ to officially order someone to appear in a court of law in order to answer questions:
Another three of the President’s advisors were subpoenaed.