Supersedeas \Su`per*se"de*as\, n. [L., suspend, set aside, stay,
   2d pers. sing. present subjunctive of supersedere. See
   Supersede.] (Law)
   A writ of command to suspend the powers of an officer in
   certain cases, or to stay proceedings under another writ.
   --Blackstone.
   [1913 Webster]

SUPERSEDEAS, practice, actions. The name of a writ containing a command to 
stay the proceedings at law. 
     2. It is granted on good cause shown that the party ought not to 
proceed. F. N. B. 236. There are some writs which though they do not bear 
this name have the effect to supersede the proceedings, namely, a writ of 
error, when bail is entered, operates as a supersedeas, and a writ of 
certiorari to remove the proceedings of an inferior into a superior court 
has, in general, the same effect. 8 Mod. 373; 1 Barnes, 260; 6 Binn. R. 461. 
But, under special circumstances, the certiorari has not the effect to stay 
the proceedings, particularly where summary proceedings, as to obtain 
possession under the landlord and tenant law, are given by statute. 6 Binn. 
R. 460; 1 Yeates, R. 49; 4 Dall. R. 214; 1 Ashm. R. 230; Vide Vin. Ab. h.t.; 
Bac. Ab. h.t.; Com. Dig. h.t.; Yelv. R. 6, note.