Syn. -- To call; cite; notify; convene; convoke; excite; invite; bid.
See Call.
Sum"mon*er (?), n. [OE. somner, sompnour, OF. semoneor, F. semonneur.
See Summon, v. t.] One who summons; one who cites by authority;
specifically, a petty officer formerly employed to summon persons to
appear in court; an apparitor.
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.
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.