Main Entry: sum·mon

Pronunciation: \ˈsə-mən\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): sum·moned; sum·mon·ing \ˈsə-mə-niŋ, ˈsəm-niŋ\

Etymology: 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

Date: 13th century

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

synonyms 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>.