Summons /(?)/

pl. Summonses

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.

   This summons . . . unfit either to dispute or disobey.

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

2. 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. (Law)
3. A demand to surrender. (Mil.)

1. To summon. [R. or Colloq.]