[sum.mon] vt sum.moned ; sum.mon.ing [ME somonen, fr. OF somondre, fr. (assumed) VL summonere, alter. of L summonere to remind secretly, fr. sub- secretly + monere to warn--more at sub-, mind] (13c) 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 "~ a physician"
5: to call forth: evoke--often used with up -- sum.mon.able adj -- sum.mon.er n syn 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 usu. 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".