Dictionary entry

Summon

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Sum″mon (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Summoned (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Summoning.] [OE. somonen, OF. sumundre, semondre, F. semondre, from (assumed) LL. summonĕre, for L. summonēre to give a hint; sub under + monere to admonish, to warn. See Monition, and cf. Submonish.] 1. To call, bid, or cite; to notify to come to appear; — often with up.

Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood. Shak.

Trumpets summon him to war. Dryden.

2. To give notice to, or command to appear, as in court; to cite by authority; as, to summon witnesses.

3. (Mil.) To call upon to surrender, as a fort.

Syn. — To call; cite; notify; convene; convoke; excite; invite; bid. See Call.