The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Summons \Sum"mons\, n.; pl. Summonses. [OE. somouns, OF.
   sumunse, semonse, semonce, F. semonce, semondre to summon,
   OF. p. p. semons. See Summon, v.]
   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.
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            Special summonses by the king.        --Hallam.
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            This summons . . . unfit either to dispute or
            disobey.                              --Bp. Fell.
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            He sent to summon the seditious, and to offer
            pardon; but neither summons nor pardon was regarded.
                                                  --Sir J.
                                                  Hayward.
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   2. (Law) 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.
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   3. (Mil.) A demand to surrender.
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