Sum"mons (?), n.; pl. Summonses (#). [OE. somouns, OF. sumunse, semonse, semonce, F. semonce, semondre to summon, OF. p. p. semons. See Summon, v.] 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.

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

He sent to summon the seditious, and to offer pardon; but neither summons nor pardon was regarded.

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, v. t. To summon. [R. or Colloq.] Swift.

Sum"mons (?), n.; pl. Summonses (#). [OE. somouns, OF. sumunse, semonse, semonce, F. semonce, semondre to summon, OF. p. p. semons. See Summon, v.] 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.

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

He sent to summon the seditious, and to offer pardon; but neither summons nor pardon was regarded.

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, v. t. To summon. [R. or Colloq.] Swift.

• third person singular present tense of the verb to summon
  
• a call to do something, especially to come
  
• (law) a notice summoning someone to appear in court, as a defendant, juror or witness
  
• to serve someone with a summons