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summons - What does it mean?

Definition of 'summons'

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) sumunce (modern French semonce), from popular (etyl) .

Noun

(es)
  • A call to do something, especially to come.
  • * Hallam
  • special summonses by the king
  • * Bishop Fell
  • this summons unfit either to dispute or disobey
  • * Sir J. Hayward
  • He sent to summon the seditious, and to offer pardon; but neither summons nor pardon was regarded.
  • (legal) A notice summoning someone to appear in court, as a defendant, juror or witness.
  • (military) A demand for surrender.
  • Verb

    (es)
  • To serve someone with a summons.
  • * 2007', It proposes that those held in the prototype Selfridges cells be kept for a maximum of four hours to have their identity confirmed and be charged, '''summonsed or given a fine. — ''The Guardian , 15 Mar 2007, p. 1
  • See also

    * (pedia) *

    Etymology 2

    Inflected forms.

    Verb

    (head)
  • (summon)