A judicial writ, founded upon some record, and requiring the party proceeded against to show cause why the party bringing it should not have advantage of such record, or (as in the case of scire facias to repeal letters patent) why the record should not be annulled or vacated.

a judicial writ based on some record and requiring the party against whom it is brought to show cause why the record should not be enforced or annulled

a judicial writ to require the sheriff to produce the party concerned before the court to 'show cause' why execution should not be taken against him

A judicial writ, in most cases to execute or revive a judgment.

In English law, a writ of scire facias is a judicial writ founded upon some record directing the sheriff to make it known (scire-facias) to the party against whom it is brought, and requiring the latter to show cause why the party bringing the writ should not have the advantage of such record, or why (in the case of letters patent and grants) the record should not be annulled and vacated.