Definition of writs:
(n) :
(countable, law) A written order, issued by a court, ordering someone to do (or stop doing) something.
(n) :
(countable, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK) A document ordering that an election be conducted.
(n) :
(countable, UK) An order issued by the House of Lords summoning peers to the Chamber.
(n) :
(uncountable) Authority, power to enforce compliance.
(n) :
(archaic) That which is written; writing.