summon

sum·mon

transitive verb \ˈsə-mən\

sum·monedsum·mon·ing \ˈsə-mə-niŋ, ˈsəm-niŋ\

Definition of SUMMON

1

: to issue a call to convene : convoke

2

: to command by service of a summons to appear in court

3

: to call upon for specified action

4

: to bid to come : send for <summon a physician>

5

: to call forth : evoke —often used with up

— sum·mon·able \ˈsə-mə-nə-bəl\ adjective

— sum·mon·er \ˈsə-mə-nər, ˈsəm-nər\ noun

Examples of SUMMON

1. The queen summoned him back to the palace.
2. <without explanation, the managing editor summoned me to his office>

Origin of SUMMON

Middle English somnen, somonen, from Anglo-French somondre, from Vulgar Latin *summonere, alteration of Latin summonēre to remind secretly, from sub- secretly + monēre to warn — more at sub-, mind

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SUMMON

Synonyms

call, hail, send for

Related Words

cite, subpoena; assemble, call out, call up, convene, convoke, muster; ask, bid, invite; command, order, request, requisition; beckon, demand, invoke; buzz, knell, page, ring, whistle

Near Antonyms

dismiss, send (away), turn away; banish, boot (out), cast out, drum (out), eject, expel, kick out, oust, out, rout, run off, throw out, turf (out) [chiefly British]

Synonym Discussion of SUMMON

summon, call, cite, convoke, convene, muster mean to demand the presence of. summon implies the exercise of authority <was summoned to answer charges>. call may be used less formally for summon <called the legislature into special session>. cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge <cited for drunken driving>. convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes <convoked a Vatican council>. convene is somewhat less formal than convoke <convened the students>. muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole <mustered the troops>.

Rhymes with SUMMON

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