Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

summon

[suhm-uh n]
See more synonyms for summon on Thesaurus.com
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 by up): to summon all one's courage.
Show More

Origin of summon

1175–1225; < Medieval Latin summonēre to summon, Latin: to remind unofficially, suggest, equivalent to sum- sum- + monēre to remind, warn; replacing Middle English somonen < Old French semondre, somondre < Vulgar Latin *summonere, Latin summonēre, as above
Related formssum·mon·a·ble, adjectivesum·mon·er, nounre·sum·mon, verb (used with object)un·sum·mon·a·ble, adjectiveun·sum·moned, adjective

Synonym study

1–3. See call.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for summoner

Historical Examples

  • Already the summoner and the archers with their prisoner were clear of the house.

    Sir Nigel

    Arthur Conan Doyle

  • Zra answered to the summoner, and the priest, taking off his hat, saluted her.

    A Noble Queen (Volume I of 3)

    Philip Meadows Taylor

  • The evil one is sarcastic on the special wickedness of the Summoner.

    Chaucer for Children

    Mrs. H. R. Haweis

  • Thus, if the Summoner had been to a house first, the Friar was likely to suffer.

    Chaucer for Children

    Mrs. H. R. Haweis

  • The Summoner was ashamed to say what he really was, so he said, Yes.

    Chaucer for Children

    Mrs. H. R. Haweis

British Dictionary definitions for summoner

summon

verb (tr)
  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)
Show More
Derived Formssummonable, adjective

Word Origin

C13: from Latin summonēre to give a discreet reminder, from monēre to advise
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for summoner

summon

v.

c.1200, from Anglo-French, Old French sumundre "summon," from Vulgar Latin *summundre "to call, cite," from Latin summonere "hint to," from sub "under" + monere "warn, advise" (see monitor (n.)). Summons "authoritative call to be at a certain place for a certain purpose" is late 13c., from Old French sumunse, noun use of fem. past participle of somondre. Summoner "petty officer who cites persons to appear in court" is from early 14c.; contracted form sumner is from mid-14c.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper