fieri facias

noun

fi·​eri fa·​cias ˌfī-(ə-)rē-ˈfā-sh(ē-)əs 

: a writ authorizing the sheriff to obtain satisfaction of a judgment in debt or damages from the goods and chattels of the defendant

Word History

Etymology

Latin, cause (it) to be done

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

fieri facias

noun

fi·​e·​ri fa·​ci·​as ˈfī-ə-rē-ˈfā-shē-əs, -sē-; ˈfē-e-rē-ˈfä-kē-ˌäs 

: a writ authorizing a sheriff to seize and sell certain items of the property of a debtor in order to satisfy a creditor's judgment against the debtor see also execution

Etymology

Medieval Latin, literally, may you cause it to be done, from words used in the writ, typically de terris et cattalis fieri facias may you raise from the lands and chattels (of the defendant) (a given sum)