summon Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb call in an official matter, such as to attend court
    summons; cite.
  2. verb ask to come
    • summon a lawyer
  3. verb gather or bring together
    muster; rally; come up; muster up.
    • muster the courage to do something
    • she rallied her intellect
    • Summon all your courage
  4. verb make ready for action or use
    mobilize; mobilise; marshal.
    • marshal resources

WordNet

Sum"mon transitive verb
Etymology
OE. somonen, OF. sumundre, semondre, F. semondre, from (assumed) LL. summon&ecr;re, for L. summonere to give a hint; sub under + monere to admonish, to warn. See Monition, and cf. Submonish.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Summoned ; present participle & verbal noun Summoning
Definitions
  1. To call, bid, or cite; to notify to come to appear; -- often with up.
    Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood. Shak.
    Trumpets summon him to war. Dryden.
  2. To give notice to, or command to appear, as in court; to cite by authority; as, to summon witnesses.
  3. (Mil.) To call upon to surrender, as a fort. Syn. -- To call; cite; notify; convene; convoke; excite; invite; bid. See Call.

Webster 1913