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Webster 1913 Edition
Summons
Sum′mons
,Noun.
pl.
Summonses
(#)
. [OE. ]
somouns
, OF. sumunse
, semonse
, semonce
, F. semonce
, semondre
to summon, OF. p. p. semons
. See Summon
, Verb.
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.
Sum′mons
,Verb.
T.
To summon.
[R. or Colloq.]
Swift.
Webster 1828 Edition
Summons
SUM'MONS
,Noun.
A call by authority or the command of a superior to appear at a place named, or to attend to some public duty.
This summons he resolved not to disobey.
He sent to summon the seditious and to offer pardon; but neither summons nor pardon was regarded.
1.
In law, a warning or citation to appear in court; or 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 demand of the plaintiff.