/ ˈsʌmənz; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun ( pl. sum·monses / -zɪz; NAmE /)
1.
( NAmE also cit·ation ) an order to appear in court :
to issue a summons against sb
The police have been unable to serve a summons on him.
She received a summons to appear in court the following week.
2.
an order to come and see sb :
to obey a royal summons
■ verb
summons sb (for sth) to order sb to appear in court
SYN summon :
[ vn ]
She was summonsed for speeding.
[ vn to inf ]
He was summonsed to appear in court.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French sumunse , from an alteration of Latin summonita , feminine past participle of summonere give a hint, later call, summon, from sub- secretly + monere warn.