capias

[ key-pee-uhs, kap-ee- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Law.

capias

/ ˈkeɪpɪˌæs; ˈkæp- /

law (formerly) a writ directing a sheriff or other officer to arrest a named person

Origin of capias¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin: literally, you are to take, subjunctive 2nd person singular of capere

Origin of capias¹

C15: from Latin, literally: you must take, from capere

Viam Francofurdi capias, quam autem hac periculosiorem esse putamus.

The threat of the capias ultegatum was probably in reference to the arrest of Bacon for debt in September, 1593.

Safe-conduct passes for knaves are writs of capias to honest men.

Surely they are not all the victims of the same capias and the same officer!

"It is important that he should be arrested on this capias," said Bagsley.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse