sīˈtāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English citacioun summoning, from Old French ciṭation, from Latin citation-, citatio, from citatus (past participle of citare to put in movement, summon) + -ion-, -io -ion
1.
a. : an official summons giving notice to a person to appear (as before a tribunal of justice)
the congressional committee issued several contempt citations
broadly : summons
b. : the paper embodying such a summons
gave a certified copy of the citation
2.
a. : the act of citing verbatim the spoken, written, or printed words of another
b. : the act of citing a previously settled case or a recognized legal authority as support for a point of view or course of action ; also : the formal caption by which such a case is designated in citation
c. : a quoted word or passage
3. : enumeration , mention : as
a. : a formal statement of the justifying merits or achievements of a person receiving an academic honor (as an honorary degree)
b. : specific mention in military orders or dispatches ; often : a written narrative statement of an act or of meritorious performance of duty for which a military decoration is awarded
c. : a formal commendation (as by an organization) for action adjudged meritorious