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.
Etymology: ME f. OF somonce, sumunse f. L summonita fem. past part. of summonere: see SUMMON