v.
Pronunciation: ' s ə -m ə n
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: sum · moned ; sum · mon · ing \ ' s ə -m ə -ni ŋ , ' s ə m-ni ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English somnen, somonen, from Anglo-French somondre, from Vulgar Latin *summonere, alteration of Latin summon ē re to remind secretly, from sub- secretly + mon ē re to warn ― more at SUB- , MIND
Date: 13th century
1 : to issue a call to convene : CONVOKE
2 : to command by service of a summons to appear in court
3 : to call upon for specified action
4 : to bid to come : send for < summon a physician>
5 : to call forth : EVOKE ― often used with up
– sum · mon · able \ ' s ə -m ə -n ə -b ə l \ adjective
– sum · mon · er \ ' s ə -m ə -n ə r, ' s ə m-n ə r \ noun
synonyms SUMMON , CALL , CITE , CONVOKE , CONVENE , MUSTER mean to demand the presence of. SUMMON implies the exercise of authority <was summoned to answer charges>. CALL may be used less formally for SUMMON < called the legislature into special session>. CITE implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge < cited for drunken driving>. CONVOKE implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes < convoked a Vatican council>. CONVENE is somewhat less formal than CONVOKE < convened the students>. MUSTER suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole < mustered the troops>.