subpoena

Where does the word "subpoena" come from? It comes from Latin sub poena, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Subpoena’s story begins in Latin: sub poena meant “under penalty.” Literally under penalty, the warning attached to a legal order to appear. It reached English by 1400s as subpoena. Latin 'under penalty', the opening words of the writ; the Court of Chancery used it from the 1300s. Today, subpoena means a legal order requiring a person to attend court or produce evidence.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sub poena "under penalty", literally under penalty, the warning attached to a legal order to appear.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s subpoena "a legal order requiring attendance or testimony in court", Latin 'under penalty', the opening words of the writ; the Court of Chancery used it from the 1300s.