I. noun
also sub·pe·na səˈpēnə, ÷ -ēnē, -ēni sometimes (ˌ)səbˈp- or ÷ -pēnyə
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English suppena, sub pena, from Latin sub poena under penalty; from the opening words of the writ
1. : a writ commanding a person designated in it to attend court under a penalty for failure — see subpoena ad testificandum , subpoena duces tecum
2. : the process by which a defendant in an equity action is commanded to appear and answer the plaintiff's bill
II. transitive verb
also subpena “
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to serve or summon with a writ of subpoena
had been subpoenaed to appear at the inquest — Kamala Markandaya