SuaviloquyToday’s word

summon

Summon, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Summoned; p. pr. & vb. n. Summoning.]

Etymology: [OE. somonen, OF. sumundre, semondre, F. semondre, from (assumed) LL. summonêre, for L. summonere to give a hint; sub under + monere to admonish, to warn. See Monition, and cf. Submonish.]

1. To call, bid, or cite; to notify to come to appear; -- often with up. Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood. Shak. Trumpets summon him to war. Dryden.

2. To give notice to, or command to appear, as in court; to cite by authority; as, to summon witnesses.

3. (Mil.)

To call upon to surrender, as a fort.

1 more senses

Syn. -- To call; cite; notify; convene; convoke; excite; invite; bid. See Call.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for summon; he lists it under arraign, convoke.

He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.