Subpoenaed is a word commonly used in legal jargon that refers to the process of summoning someone to appear in court. It is spelled suhb-pee-nuh d, with the IPA phonetic transcription being /sʌbˈpiːnəd/. The word is often misspelled due to its somewhat complex pronunciation, with common mistakes including "subpeoned" or "subpoened". However, its correct orthography can be memorized by paying attention to its triple e's and d sound at the end.
The term "subpoenaed" is derived from the word "subpoena," which refers to a legal document ordering an individual to appear in court or provide evidence in a legal proceeding. When someone is "subpoenaed," it means that they have been formally served with a subpoena. This can be issued by a court, a government agency, or an attorney involved in a legal case.
To be "subpoenaed" signifies a legal obligation to comply with the specific instructions contained in the subpoena. These instructions usually require the person to testify as a witness, provide relevant documents or records, or both, depending on the nature of the case. The person who is subpoenaed holds a legal duty to fulfill the demands specified in the document within the stipulated timeframe.
Being subpoenaed signifies the coercive power of the legal system to compel someone's appearance or cooperation. Failure to respond to a subpoena can result in penalties, such as fines, contempt of court charges, or even imprisonment. It is important to note that a subpoena must be properly served to the individual, which typically involves personal delivery by a designated officer or a process server, ensuring that the person is aware of the legal obligation.
Overall, being "subpoenaed" means that a person has been formally summoned to participate in a legal proceeding or provide evidence relevant to a case. It underscores the importance of the individual's cooperation in the administration of justice.
Served with a writ to attend a court as a witness, &c.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "subpoenaed" has its etymology derived from the Latin word "sub poena", which literally translates to "under penalty". In English, "subpoena" refers to a written legal order that requires a person to appear in court or provide evidence for a trial. The past tense form, "subpoenaed", indicates that an individual has been subjected to a subpoena.