v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Summoned p. pr. & vb. n. Summoning. ] [ OE. somonen, OF. sumundre, semondre, F. semondre, from (assumed) LL. summon&ebreve_;re, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Trumpets summon him to war. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To give notice to, or command to appear, as in court; to cite by authority; as, to summon witnesses. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mil.) To call upon to surrender, as a fort. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To call; cite; notify; convene; convoke; excite; invite; bid. See Call. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

v. t. To summon. [ R. or Colloq. ] Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]