summons
[ suhm-uh nz ]
/ ˈsʌm ənz /
noun, plural sum·mons·es.
an authoritative command, message, or signal by which one is summoned.
a request, demand, or call to do something: a summons to surrender.
Law.
- a call or citation by authority to appear before a court or a judicial officer.
- the writ by which the call is made.
an authoritative call or notice to appear at a specified place, as for a particular purpose or duty.
a call issued for the meeting of an assembly or parliament.
verb (used with object)
to serve with a summons; summon.
Origin of summons
1250–1300; Middle English
somons < Anglo-French; Old French
somonse < Vulgar Latin
*summonsa, for Latin
summonita, feminine past participle of
summonēre; see
summon
OTHER WORDS FROM summons
non·sum·mons, noun re·sum·mons, noun, plural re·sum·mons·es.Words nearby summons
summit,
summit meeting,
summiteer,
summitry,
summon,
summons,
summum bonum,
sumner,
sumo,
sump,
sump drain
Definition for summons (2 of 2)
summon
[ suhm-uh n ]
/ ˈsʌm ən /
verb (used with object)
to call upon to do something specified.
to call for the presence of, as by command, message, or signal; call.
to call or notify to appear at a specified place, especially before a court: to summon a defendant.
to authorize or order a gathering of; call together by authority, as for deliberation or action: to summon parliament.
to call into action; rouse; call forth (often. followed by up): to summon all one's courage.
Origin of summon
1175–1225; < Medieval Latin
summonēre to summon, Latin: to remind unofficially, suggest, equivalent to
sum-
sum- +
monēre to remind, warn; replacing Middle English
somonen < Old French
semondre,
somondre < Vulgar Latin
*summonere, Latin
summonēre, as above
synonym study for summon
1–3. See
call.
OTHER WORDS FROM summon
Example sentences from the Web for summons
British Dictionary definitions for summons (1 of 2)
summons
/ (ˈsʌmənz) /
noun plural -monses
a call, signal, or order to do something, esp to appear in person or attend at a specified place or time
- an official order requiring a person to attend court, either to answer a charge or to give evidence
- the writ making such an orderCompare warrant
a call or command given to the members of an assembly to convene a meeting
verb
to take out a summons against (a person)
Word Origin for summons
C13: from Old French
somonse, from
somondre to
summon
British Dictionary definitions for summons (2 of 2)
summon
/ (ˈsʌmən) /
verb (tr)
to order to come; send for, esp to attend court, by issuing a summons
to order or instruct (to do something) or call (to something)
the bell summoned them to their work
to call upon to meet or convene
(often foll by up)
to muster or gather (one's strength, courage, etc)
Derived forms of summon
summonable, adjectiveWord Origin for summon
C13: from Latin
summonēre to give a discreet reminder, from
monēre to advise