n. & v.
n. (pl. summonses) 1 an authoritative or urgent call to attend on some occasion or do something. 2 a a call to appear before a judge or magistrate. b the writ containing such a summons.
v.tr. esp. Law serve with a summons.
[ ME f. OF somonce, sumunse f. L summonita fem. past part. of summonere: see SUMMON ]