subpoena
Definitions
A legal writ ordering a person to attend court or produce evidence.
传票（命令出庭或提交证据的法律令状）。
To summon someone or demand documents by issuing such a writ.
（以传票）传唤；调取（文件）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom the Latin phrase sub poenā = 'under penalty.' The full original document threatened: do this under penalty (of a fine). Over time the two words fused into one English noun and verb. The unspoken message is always '...or face punishment.'
Root pun still carries 33 more wordsWhy It Means This
Subpoena is a fossil of a whole Latin legal phrase, sub poenā. It is the only word in this family where you can still see the original courtroom force of poena, unsoftened — it literally orders compliance 'under penalty.' Worth knowing: the 'b' is often silent (suh-PEE-nuh), and the word doubles as a verb.
Common Collocations
- 1.issue a subpoena签发传票
- 2.serve a subpoena送达传票
- 3.comply with a subpoena遵从传票
- 4.subpoena documents调取文件
Example Sentences
- 1.
The committee issued a subpoena for the company's records.
- 2.
She was subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury.
- 3.
Lawyers can subpoena documents relevant to the case.