in *Scots Law*, a writ issuing under his majesty's signet, in his majesty's name, obtained at the instance of a creditor in a civil debt, commanding messengers at arms and other officers of the law to apprehend and imprison the person of the debtor until he pay the debt.—It is also the name of a writ issued by the court of session against the agents of the court, to return papers belonging to processes or law suits, or otherwise to go to prison.