summons

(-ənz)

noun pl. summonses

1. an order or command to come, attend, appear, or perform some action
2. Law an official order to appear in court, specif. to respond as a defendant to a charge; also, the writ containing such an order
a call, command, knock, or other signal that summons

Origin: ME somounce < Anglo-Fr somonse < OFr sumunse < pp. of somondre: see summon

transitive verb

Informal to serve a court summons upon

See summons in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. sum·mons·es

A call by an authority to appear, come, or do something.
Law
a. A notice summoning a defendant to appear in court.
b. A notice summoning a person to report to court as a juror or witness.

transitive verb sum·monsed, sum·mons·ing, sum·mons·es
Law

To serve a court summons to.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English somons

Origin: , from Old French somonse

Origin: , from feminine past participle of somondre, to summon; see summon

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