summon

[suhm-uhn]

verb (used with object)

1. to call upon to do something specified.

2. to call for the presence of, as by command, message, or signal; call.

3. to call or notify to appear at a specified place, especially before a court.

   to summon a defendant.

4. to authorize or order a gathering of; call together by authority, as for deliberation or action.

   to summon parliament.

5. to call into action; rouse; call forth (often. followed byup ).

   to summon all one's courage.

summon

/ ˈsʌmən /

verb

1. to order to come; send for, esp to attend court, by issuing a summons

2. to order or instruct (to do something) or call (to something)

   the bell summoned them to their work

3. to call upon to meet or convene

4. (often foll by up) to muster or gather (one's strength, courage, etc)

Other Word Forms

• summonable adjective
• summoner noun
• resummon verb (used with object)
• unsummonable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of summon¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; from Medieval Latin summonēre “to summon,” Latin: “to remind unofficially, suggest,” equivalent to sum- sum- + monēre “to remind, warn”; replacing Middle English somonen, from Old French semondre, somondre, from unattested Vulgar Latin summonere, Latin summonēre, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of summon¹

C13: from Latin summonēre to give a discreet reminder, from monēre to advise

Synonym Study

See call.

Example Sentences

You know, before he summons someone to bring him a diet soda.

From Salon

While their interaction at the reveal seemed to go well, albeit somewhat awkward considering the whirlwind circumstances, a few hours later, Suzuki was summoned by production to meet with McIntosh.

From Los Angeles Times

No official reason was publicly provided when the leaders were summoned at short notice last week, prompting a flurry of speculation.

From BBC

Two weeks after Sobhraj's jailbreak, Mr Zende was summoned by his boss – "he remembered that I had caught the Bikini killer once" - and asked to hunt for him again.

From BBC

A night after Kershaw volunteered to pitch in relief, the future Hall of Fame left-hander was summoned for the ninth inning.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ask 
• assemble 
• call 
• call for 
• call in 
• convene 
• direct 
• draft 
• gather 
• invite 
• mobilize 
• recall 
• request 
• subpoena