Word Study
capias
CIDE DICTIONARY
capias, n. [L. thou mayst take.].
A writ or process commanding the officer to take the body of the person named in it, that is, to arrest him; -- also called writ of capias . [1913 Webster]
" One principal kind of capias is a writ by which actions at law are frequently commenced; another is a writ of execution issued after judgment to satisfy damages recovered; a capias in criminal law is the process to take a person charged on an indictment, when he is not in custody. Burrill. Wharton. " Burrill. Wharton. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
capias, n. Law a writ ordering the arrest of the person named.
Etymology
L, = you are to seize, f. capere take
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