Summons \Sum"mons\, n.; pl. {Summonses}. [OE. somouns, OF.
sumunse, semonse, semonce, F. semonce, semondre to summon,
OF. p. p. semons. See {Summon}, v.]
1. The act of summoning; a call by authority, or by the
command of a superior, to appear at a place named, or to
attend to some duty.

Special summonses by the king. --Hallam.

This summons . . . unfit either to dispute or
disobey. --Bp. Fell.

He sent to summon the seditious, and to offer
pardon; but neither summons nor pardon was regarded.
--Sir J.
Hayward.

2. (Law) A warning or citation to appear in court; a written
notification signed by the proper officer, to be served on
a person, warning him to appear in court at a day
specified, to answer to the plaintiff, testify as a
witness, or the like.

3. (Mil.) A demand to surrender.