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Summons Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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summons

[ˈsʌmənz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

legal document

A summons is a legal document issued by a court or other legal authority that notifies a party that a legal proceeding has been started against them. It typically includes the date, time, and location of the court appearance required.

Synonyms

citation, subpoena, warrant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
summons

Used in legal contexts when someone is formally called to court or required to appear at a legal proceeding.

  • The judge issued a summons for the witness to appear in court.
  • She received a summons to answer the charges against her.
citation

Commonly used for minor legal offenses, such as traffic violations, where a person receives a written notice to appear in court or pay a fine.

  • He got a citation for speeding last week.
  • The police officer handed her a citation for parking illegally.
warrant

Used in legal contexts to authorize police or other authorities to make an arrest, search premises, or carry out some other form of legal action. Often has a more serious connotation.

  • The police obtained a warrant to search the suspect's house.
  • There was an arrest warrant out for him.
subpoena

Used in legal contexts to formally request someone to testify in court or present evidence. Relates to court orders that someone must attend or provide documents.

  • The defendant was served with a subpoena to appear in court.
  • She received a subpoena to hand over all relevant documents to the court.

Examples of usage

  • The defendant received a summons to appear in court next week.
  • She was shocked to receive a summons in the mail.
Context #2 | Verb

calling someone to appear or come

To summons means to officially call someone to appear or come somewhere, especially in a legal context. It can also refer to invoking someone to do something.

Synonyms

call, convene, muster.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
summons

Often used in legal or formal contexts when someone is being officially asked to appear in court or in front of an authority.

  • He received a summons to appear in court next month.
  • The judge issued a summons for the witnesses.
call

Can be used in everyday situations when you ask someone to come over, contact someone or summon them informally.

  • I'll call you when dinner is ready.
  • The manager called an emergency meeting.
convene

Frequently used in professional or organizational contexts when arranging for people to come together, usually for a meeting or gathering.

  • The board will convene next Monday to discuss the new policy.
  • She convened a conference to address the issues.
muster

Often associated with gathering people, especially troops, for a specific purpose. Can also imply an effort to gather one's resources or courage.

  • The general mustered the troops for inspection.
  • He mustered the courage to ask her out.

Examples of usage

  • The judge summonsed the witness to the stand.
  • He was summonsed to attend the meeting.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

  • In legal terms, a summons can require a person to appear in court or to respond to a legal complaint.
  • Failure to respond to a summons can lead to legal consequences, including fines or a default judgment against the non-respondent.

Cultural References

  • The concept of a summons appears in literature, where characters often receive calls to adventure or confrontations, encapsulating themes of duty and responsibility.
  • Fantasy genres often use ‘summoning’ as a way to invoke magical creatures or beings to help characters in their quests.

Psychology

  • Receiving a summons can evoke anxiety, as it often signifies an important obligation or event that may involve conflict or confrontation.
  • People may react differently to summonses: some feel stressed, while others see it as an opportunity to address issues.

Technology

  • In the age of digital communication, summonses can now be issued via email or online services, making the process more efficient.
  • Some legal apps help users track and respond to digital summonses, streamlining legal processes for everyday people.

Origin of 'summons'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'summonere', which means 'to call together'.
  • Its roots can be traced back to the Old French 'somon', helping it evolve into the English term we use today.

The word 'summons' originated from Middle English, from the Old French word 'sumunse', based on Latin 'summonere' (to remind privately). The term has been used in legal contexts for centuries, reflecting the formal nature of calling someone to court or to appear before an authority.

See also: summoning, summonings.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,345 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.