Category:Summons

Sum"mons, n.; pl. Summonses. Etym: [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. 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)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: a demand to surrender.

Summons Sum"mons, v. t.

Defn: to summon. [r. or colloq.] Swift.