Definition of: summons

(sum′ənz) noun
1. A call to attend or act at a particular place or time.
2. Law A notice to a defendant summoning him to appear in court: either a judicial writ or process, or a notice signed by the plaintiff or his attorney; any citation issued to a party to an action to appear before a court or judge at chambers. See WRIT OF SUMMONS.
3. A notice to a person requiring him to appear in court as a witness or as a juror.
4. A military demand to surrender.
5. Any signal or sound that is a peremptory call. [<AF somonse, OF sumunse <somondre SUMMON]