scire facias
noun
sci·re fa·cias ˌsī-rē-ˈfā-sh(ē-)əs 
1
: a judicial writ founded on some matter of record and requiring the party proceeded against to show cause why the record should not be enforced, annulled, or vacated
2
: a legal proceeding instituted by a scire facias
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Medieval Latin, you should cause to know
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Legal Definition
scire facias
noun
sci·re fa·ci·as ˈsī-rē-ˈfā-shē-əs, -shəs, -shē-ˌas; ˈskē-rā-ˈfä-kē-ˌäs
1
: a judicial writ founded upon some matter of record and requiring the party proceeded against to show cause why the record should not be enforced (as by revival of the judgment), annulled, or vacated
2
: a legal proceeding instituted by a scire facias