First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1summons
noun sum·mons \ˈsə-mənz\
law : an official order to appear in a court of law
: an official order to appear at a particular place
plural sum·mons·es
Full Definition of SUMMONS
1
: the act of summoning; especially : a call by authority to appear at a place named or to attend to a duty
2
: a warning or citation to appear in court: as a : a written notification to be served on a person as a warning to appear in court at a day specified to answer to the plaintiff b : a subpoena to appear as a witness
3
: something (as a call) that summons
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Origin of SUMMONS
Middle English somouns, from Anglo-French somonse, from past participle of somondre
Other Legal Terms
2summons
transitive verb
law : to order (someone) to appear in a court of law
SUMMONS Defined for Kids
summons
noun sum·mons \ˈsə-mənz\
plural sum·mons·es
Definition of SUMMONS for Kids
1
: the act of calling or sending for
2
: a call by authority to appear at a place named or to attend to some duty <a royal summons>
3
: a written order to appear in court
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