SUM'MON, verb transitive [Latin submoneo; sub and moneo.]

1. To call, cite or notify by authority to appear at a place specified, or to attend in person to some public duty, or both; as, to summon a jury; to summon witnesses.

The parliament is summoned by the king's writ or letter.

Nor trumpets summon him to war.

2. To give notice to a person to appear in court and defend.

3. To call or command.

Love, duty, safety summon us away.

4. To call up; to excite into action or exertion; with up. summon up all your strength or courage.

Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.