[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

summons \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.
      1913 webster

            special summonses by the king.        --hallam.
      1913 webster

            this summons . . . unfit either to dispute or
            disobey.                              --bp. fell.
      1913 webster

            he sent to summon the seditious, and to offer
            pardon; but neither summons nor pardon was regarded.
                                                  --sir j.
                                                  hayward.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

   3. mil. a demand to surrender.
      1913 webster
see also:
summonses summon 

Summonses >> S Words
Summonses, definition of term: Summonses
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