summon
summon Lexical Profile
summon Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To authoritatively or urgently call on someone to be present, especially as a duty or to attend a formal meeting.
"The principal decided to summon the student's parents for an immediate conference."
To order someone to appear in a court of law, or to officially arrange an assembly or meeting.
"The defense attorney plans to summon three expert witnesses to testify at the hearing."
To make an effort to produce a particular quality, emotion, or reaction from within oneself (often followed by 'up').
"She had to summon all her courage before stepping onto the stage to deliver the keynote speech."
To bring an image, memory, or feeling into the mind.
"The scent of pine needles never fails to summon memories of childhood winters in the mountains."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse the verb 'summon' with 'summons', which is primarily a singular noun (plural 'summonses') referring to an official order to appear in court, though 'summons' is also used in legal contexts as a verb meaning to serve someone with such an order.
• Rhymes for summon
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English somonen, borrowed from Old French somondre, from Latin summonere ('to hint or remind privately'), formed from sub- ('under' or 'secretly') and monere ('to warn or advise').