summons in WordNet English dictionary

1. a request to be present
   "they came at his bidding"
   bidding  summons 
   
2. a writ issued by authority of law; usually compels the defendant's attendance in a civil suit; failure to appear results in a default judgment against the defendant
   summons  process 
   
3. an order to appear in person at a given place and time
   summons 
   

1. call in an official matter, such as to attend court
   summon  summons  cite