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subpoenaa legal document ordering someone to appear in court or produce evidence

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a legal document ordering someone to appear in court or produce evidence

Pronunciation (IPA): /səˈpiːnə/

Example Sentences

  • The celebrity tried to hide from the subpoena server behind designer sunglasses and a fake mustache.
  • The committee has the power to subpoena witnesses and documents.
  • His lawyer warned him that ignoring a federal subpoena would land him in serious trouble.

subpoena

NOUN

[/səˈpiːnə/]

a legal document ordering someone to appear in court or produce evidence

a uniformed process server extends an official-looking document toward a surprised businessman in a suit. The businessman reaches out reluctantly to accept the formal paper with a worried expression on his face. The document represents his legal obligation to appear in court as a witness. His acceptance of the paper means he must now comply with the court's requirements. A lawyer in the background points toward the courthouse entrance, indicating where he must go. Other people in business attire walk up the courthouse steps, showing the formal legal environment.  a legal document ordering someone to appear in court or produce evidence
💡 Concept

a uniformed process server extends an official-looking document toward a surprised businessman in a suit. The businessman reaches out reluctantly to accept the formal paper with a worried expression on his face. The document represents his legal obligation to appear in court as a witness. His acceptance of the paper means he must now comply with the court's requirements. A lawyer in the background points toward the courthouse entrance, indicating where he must go. Other people in business attire walk up the courthouse steps, showing the formal legal environment. a legal document ordering someone to appear in court or produce evidence

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/səˈpiːnə/
🇬🇧 UK/səˈpiːnə/

🌳Etymology

Prefixsub--
Rootpoena

Origin

From Latin subpoena, literally meaning 'under penalty.' This legal term comes from the opening words of medieval court writs that commanded appearance 'under penalty' of punishment for non-compliance.

Breakdown

sub- (under) + poena (penalty/punishment)

🎵Rhyme

arenahyenaantenna
arena
hyena
antenna

🔗Collocations

issue a subpoena
serve a subpoena
comply with subpoena
federal subpoena
subpoena power
ignore a subpoena
subpoena documents

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The celebrity tried to hide from the subpoena server behind designer sunglasses and a fake mustache.

The committee has the power to subpoena witnesses and documents.

His lawyer warned him that ignoring a federal subpoena would land him in serious trouble.

😄 Fun example

She joked that getting a subpoena was worse than getting a parking ticket - at least you can ignore those.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

summonscourt orderwritcitation

Antonyms

dismissalrelease

Related

testimonywitnesscourtlegalprosecutordeposition

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