Pronunciation: ˌ s ī -r ē - ' f ā -sh( ē -) ə s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin, you should cause to know
Date: 15th century
1 : a judicial writ founded on some matter of record and requiring the party proceeded against to show cause why the record should not be enforced, annulled, or vacated
2 : a legal proceeding instituted by a scire facias