/ ˈsʌmən; NAmE / verb
1.
( formal ) to order sb to appear in court
SYN summons :
[ vn to inf ]
He was summoned to appear before the magistrates.
[also vn ]
2.
summon sb (to sth) ( formal ) to order sb to come to you :
[ vn ]
In May 1688 he was urgently summoned to London.
She summoned the waiter.
[also vn to inf ]
3.
[ vn ] ( formal ) to arrange an official meeting
SYN convene :
to summon a meeting
4.
[ vn ] ( formal ) to call for or try to obtain sth :
to summon assistance / help / reinforcements
5.
[ vn ] summon sth (up) to make an effort to produce a particular quality in yourself, especially when you find it difficult
SYN muster :
She was trying to summon up the courage to leave him.
I couldn't even summon the energy to get out of bed.
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- summon sth up
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French somondre , from Latin summonere give a hint, later call, summon, from sub- secretly + monere warn.