capias

[ key-pee-uh s, kap-ee- ]

/ ˈkeɪ pi əs, ˈkæp i- /

a writ commanding an officer to take a specified person into custody.

Origin of capias

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

So also said Judge Adams, and Mr. Capias, and all the people.

Winning His Way |Charles Carleton Coffin
Safe-conduct passes for knaves are writs of capias to honest men.

Tracks of a Rolling Stone |Henry J. Coke
Mr. Capias was so eloquent that the people stamped till the house fairly shook with applause.

Winning His Way |Charles Carleton Coffin
Viam Francofurdi capias, quam autem hac periculosiorem esse putamus.

History of the Great Reformation, Volume IV |J. H. Merle D'Aubign

Reasons for the continuance of the writs of capias and proces of arrest against peremptory summons, etc.: printed 1675.

Brief Lives (Vol. 2 of 2) |John Aubrey

capias

/ (ˈkeɪpɪˌæs, ˈkæp-) /

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

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