Where does “subpoena” come from?
subpoena (French) comes from English subpoena, from Middle English sub pena, from Medieval Latin poena.
subpoena (French): subpoena
Ancestry of “subpoena”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | subpoena | A writ requiring a defendant to appear in court... |
| 2 | Middle English | sub pena | A subpoena or summons, especially for the Court... |
| 3 | Medieval Latin | poena | — |