SUBPOENA, in EQUITY, a process in equity, calling on a defendant to appear and answer to the complainant's bill. See statute 5th Geo. II. c. 25. which enacts, that where the party cannot be found to be served with a subpoena, and absconds (as is believed) to avoid being served, a day shall be appointed him to appear to the bill of the plaintiff; which is to be inserted in the London Gazette, read in the parish church where the defendant last lived, and fixed up at the Royal Exchange: and if the defendant doth not appear upon that day, the bill shall be taken pro confesso.