summons Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a request to be present
bidding.
- they came at his bidding
noun an order to appear in person at a given place and time
noun a writ issued by authority of law; usually compels the defendant's attendance in a civil suit; failure to appear results in a default judgment against the defendant
process.
verb call in an official matter, such as to attend court
cite; summon.
verb ask to come
summon.
- summon a lawyer
verb gather or bring together
muster; rally; come up; muster up; summon.
- muster the courage to do something
- she rallied her intellect
- Summon all your courage
verb make ready for action or use
mobilize; mobilise; marshal; summon.
- marshal resources

OE. somouns, OF. sumunse, semonse, semonce, F. semonce, semondre to summon, OF. p.p. semons. See Summon, v.

plural Summonses

The act of summoning; a call by authority, or by the command of a superior, to appear at a place named, or to attend to some duty.
Special summonses by the king. Hallam.

This summons . . . unfit either to dispute or disobey. Bp. Fell.

He sent to summon the seditious, and to offer pardon; but neither summons nor pardon was regarded. Sir J. Hayward.
(Law) A warning or citation to appear in court; a written notification signed by the proper officer, to be served on a person, warning him to appear in court at a day specified, to answer to the plaintiff, testify as a witness, or the like.
(Mil.) A demand to surrender.