The crime of inducing or persuading a person to commit perjury; sometimes shortened to simply the first word of the phrase. subpoena 1n. Latin. Under penalty. A writ issued by a court commanding a person to appear, with penalties that attach for failure to comply. 2 v. The act of sending a subpoena to a witness or other person to secure his attendance and testimony at trial or other proceeding (such as deposition); generally, subpoenas are obtained and sent out by the lawyers, rather than dir...