summon

[ suhm-uhn ]

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.

summon

/ ˈsʌmən /

verb

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)

Derived Forms

• ˈsummonable, adjective

Other Words From

• sum·mon·a·ble adjective
• sum·mon·er noun
• re·sum·mon verb (used with object)
• un·sum·mon·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of summon¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; from Medieval Latin summonēre “to summon,” Latin: “to remind unofficially, suggest,” equivalent to sum- sum- + monēre “to remind, warn”; replacing Middle English somonen, from Old French semondre, somondre, from unattested Vulgar Latin summonere, Latin summonēre, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of summon¹

C13: from Latin summonēre to give a discreet reminder, from monēre to advise

Synonym Study

See call.

Example Sentences

Emergency crews summoned to Tabler Avenue in Lancaster at 1:27 a.m. found a one-story home in flames, according to the Los Angeles County sheriff and fire departments.

From Los Angeles Times

The premise is built around an urban myth that Candyman roamed the Cabrini-Green housing projects in Chicago and could be summoned by saying his name five times in front of a mirror.

From Los Angeles Times

He starred as the title character in the horror series, depicting the ghostly Candyman character with a hook for a hand, summoned by saying his name five times in front of a mirror.

From BBC

The next day he was summoned for questioning and accused of joining the Freedom of Russia Legion.

From BBC

He summoned a mob that invaded the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ask
• assemble
• call
• call for
• call in
• convene
• direct
• draft
• gather
• invite
• mobilize
• recall
• request
• subpoena