English vocabulary · C1
Subpoena
/səˈpiːnə/ · n., v.
A subpoena is a court paper that says you must come or give facts.
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Example sentences
- A subpoena ordered the witness to court.
- Police sent the bank a subpoena for records.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- sub — under (from Latin)
- poena — penalty (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- SUMMONS — an order to appear (Called To Court)
- COURT ORDER — a rule from court (A Judge Requires It)
- LEGAL NOTICE — official law message (Formal Paper)
Words with the same root
poena — penalty
- pain — hurt in body or mind
- penalty — cost for breaking a rule
- punish — make someone pay for wrong
Lesson notes
A subpoena is a court paper that says you must come or give facts.
Related: summons, court order, legal notice. Use subpoena when a court orders someone to come or give facts.
A subpoena ordered the witness to court. Police sent the bank a subpoena for records.
From Latin. Sub- means under. Pee-na means penalty. Under penalty, the law orders you to appear. That paper is a subpoena.