process, n. 1. The proceedings in any action or prosecution <due process of law>. 2. A summons or writ, esp. to appear or respond in court <service of process>. Also termed judicial process; legal process.

“Process is so denominated because it proceeds or issues forth in order to bring the defendant into court, to answer the charge preferred against him, and signifies the writs or judicial means by which he is brought to answer.” Joseph Chitty, A Practical Treatise on the Criminal Law 338 (2d ed. 1826).

“The term ‘process’ is not limited to ‘summons.’ In its broadest sense it is equivalent to, or synonymous with, ‘procedure’ or ‘proceeding.’ Sometimes the term is also broadly defined as the means whereby a court compels a compliance with its demands.

“‘Process’ and ‘writ’ or ‘writs’ are synonymous, in the sense that every writ is a process, and in a narrow sense of the term ‘process’ is limited to judicial writs in an action, or at least to writs or writings issued from or out of a court, under the seal thereof and returnable thereto; but it is not always necessary to construe the term so strictly as to limit it to a writ issued by a court in the exercise of its ordinary jurisdiction.” 72 CJ5 Process § 2, at 589 (l987).