ˌsīrēˈfāsh(ē)əs, -shēˌas; ˌskēˌrāˈfäkēˌäs noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin, you should cause to know
1. : a judicial writ founded upon 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