summons
UK: ˈsʌmənz | US: ˈsʌmənz
n. 1. An official order to appear in court.
n. 2. A call or command to do something, often authoritative.
vt. To serve someone with a legal summons.
summons = summon<call> + s<noun suffix>
- summon (from Old French sumondre, meaning "to call, invoke," derived from Latin summonere: sub- (under) + monere (warn))
- -s (English plural or verb inflection suffix)
Etymology Origin:
The word summons originates from the Old French sumondre, which itself comes from Latin summonere ("to warn secretly"). Over time, it evolved into Middle English as somonen, meaning "to cite legally." The addition of the "-s" suffix solidified its use as a noun referring to a formal legal order. The logic reflects a progression from a general "call" to a specific authoritative command, particularly in legal contexts.
The court issued a summons for the witness to testify.
He received a summons to appear before the judge.
The principal’s voice carried the summons for the students to assemble.
Failure to respond to a summons may result in penalties.
She was summonsed to attend the hearing next week.