/ səˈpiːnə; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
( law ) a written order to attend court as a witness to give evidence
■ verb
( law ) to order sb to attend court and give evidence as a witness :
[ vn to inf ]
The court subpoenaed her to appear as a witness.
[also vn ]
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (as a noun): from Latin sub poena under penalty (the first words of the writ). Use as a verb dates from the mid 17th cent.