summons Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a request to be present
    bidding.
    • they came at his bidding
  2. noun an order to appear in person at a given place and time
  3. 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.
  4. verb call in an official matter, such as to attend court
    cite; summon.
  5. verb ask to come
    summon.
    • summon a lawyer
  6. 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
  7. verb make ready for action or use
    mobilize; mobilise; marshal; summon.
    • marshal resources

WordNet


Sum"mons noun
Etymology
OE. somouns, OF. sumunse, semonse, semonce, F. semonce, semondre to summon, OF. p.p. semons. See Summon, v.
Wordforms
plural Summonses
Definitions
  1. 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.
  2. (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.
  3. (Mil.) A demand to surrender.
Sum"mons transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To summon. R. or Colloq. Swift.

Webster 1913