Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.