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- verb
- noun 2
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The Origin of Subpoena
If you think you recognize the sub- in subpoena as the prefix meaning "under, beneath, below," you're on target. Subpoena arrived in Modern English (via the Middle English suppena) from the Latin sub poena, a combination of sub and poena, meaning "penalty." Other poena descendants in English include impunity ("freedom from penalty"), penal ("of or relating to punishment"), and even punish. There is also the verb subpoena, as in "Defense lawyers have subpoenaed several witnesses to the crime."
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“Subpoena.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subpoena. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
subpoena
1 of 2 nounsubpoena
2 of 2 verbNoun
from the Latin phrase sub poena "under penalty"; used as the beginning words of the order
Legal Definition
subpoena
1 of 2 nounsubpoena
2 of 2 transitive verbNoun
Latin sub poena under penalty
More from Merriam-Webster on subpoena
Nglish: Translation of subpoena for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of subpoena for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about subpoena
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