The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Scire facias \Sci`re fa"ci*as\ (s[imac]`r[-e]
   f[=a]"sh[i^]*[a^]s). [L., do you cause to know.] (Law)
   A judicial writ, founded upon some record, and requiring the
   party proceeded against to show cause why the party bringing
   it should not have advantage of such record, or (as in the
   case of scire facias to repeal letters patent) why the record
   should not be annulled or vacated. --Wharton. Bouvier.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

scire facias
    n 1: a judicial writ based on some record and requiring the
         party against whom it is brought to show cause why the
         record should not be enforced or annulled

Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856):

SCIRE FACIAS, remedies, practice. The name of a judicial writ, founded upon
some record, and requiring the defendant to show cause why the plaintiff
should not have the "advantage of such record; or, when it is issued to
repeal letters-patent, why the record should not be annulled and vacated. 3
Sell. Pr. 187; Grah. Pr. 649; 2 Tidd's Pr. 982; 2 Arch. Pr. 76; Bac. Abr.
h.t.
     2. It is, however, considered as an action, and in the nature of a new
original. Skin. 682; Com. 455.
     3. The scire facias against a bail, against pledges in replevin, to
repeal letters-patent, or the like, is an original proceeding; but when
brought to revive a judgment after a year and a day, or upon the death or
marriage of the parties, when in the latter case one of them is a woman; or
when brought on a judgment quando, &c., against an executor, it is but a
continuation of the original action. Vide 1 T. R. 388. Vide generally, 11
Vin. Ab. 1; 19 Vin. Ab. 280 Bac. Ab. Execution, H; Bac. Ab. h.t. 2 Saund. 72
e, note, 3; Doct. Pl. 436 Bouv. Inst. Index, h.t.