Etymology From Anglo-Norman somoundre, from Old French sumundre, from Latin summonēre, itself from sub + monēre, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *monéyeti, causative from *men- (“to think”). Compare typologically from the same PIE root mention, Russian помина́ть (pominátʹ), упомина́ть (upominátʹ) (developed less further, keeping strong relation with по́мнить (pómnitʹ)), also compare помина́й как зва́ли (pomináj kak zváli) (<+ звать (zvatʹ)).
1
To call people together; to convene; to convoke.
Silence is primary, summoning presence to itself; so it's a connection to the realm of origin.2007, John Zerzan, Silence:
2
To ask someone to come; to send for.
The cousins separated, and Nain Singh joined a caravan posing as a merchant. This time he crossed the border successfully. Singh eventually entered Jih-k’a-tse, the second-largest city in Tibet. It was in Jih-k’a-tse that he was summoned to meet the country’s second-highest religious authority, the Panchen Lama, who turned out to be only 11 years old.1995, Explorers & Discoverers, volume 2, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, →OL, page 753:
3
To order (goods) and have delivered
You can summon groceries, alcohol and medicines to your home: chips and vodka on New Year’s Eve, say, and then aspirin on New Year’s Day.2019 November 21, Samanth Subramanian, “How our home delivery habit reshaped the world”, in The Guardian:
4
To rouse oneself to exert a skill.
For securing the attainment of what he considered to be a most desirable end, he summoned all his abilities with a most praiseworthy energy and perseverance.1866, Pierre Bigandet, The Life or Legend of Gaudama, the Buddha of the Burmese, with annotations and notice on the Phongyies or Burmese monks, page 396:
Joseph needed to summon all his reserve to keep his self-control, for no sooner had Asa voiced his request than Joseph recalled his remark to Aaron about a child being given to this couple in lieu of their giving Mary to him.2011, Sister Louise Sweigart, cgs, Joseph: A Guiding Light, Inspiring Voices →ISBN, page 61
1 more example
November 2 2014, Daniel Taylor, "Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk City will feel nonplussed when they review the tape and Pellegrini had to summon all his restraint in the post-match interviews.
“Why won't you teach me to summon water? I can summon fire so easily, it's only logical that I should learn to put out my mistakes.”2010, Kay Hooper, The Wizard of Seattle, Fanfare, →ISBN:
Etymology From Anglo-Norman somoundre, from Old French sumundre, from Latin summonēre, itself from sub + monēre, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *monéyeti, causative from *men- (“to think”). Compare typologically from the same PIE root mention, Russian помина́ть (pominátʹ), упомина́ть (upominátʹ) (developed less further, keeping strong relation with по́мнить (pómnitʹ)), also compare помина́й как зва́ли (pomináj kak zváli) (<+ звать (zvatʹ)).
1
Video games A creature magically summoned to do the summoner's bidding.
Conjuration magic in Baldur's Gate 3 allows players to summon a variety of helpful creatures […] These summons can assist players in combat and exploration, providing strategic advantages with their unique abilities.2023 October 30, Nyah Payne, “Baldur's Gate 3: Best Summons, Ranked”, in Gamerant:
2
call, command, order
The deceased was 58 years of age, was the picture of health even five or six hours prior to his death, when suddenly the grim messenger came with a summon from a Higher Tribunal, calling him to duties above.quoted in 2013, Robin Sterling, People and Things from the Cullman, Alabama Tribune 1898-1913 (page 172)
summon
noun
Etymology Borrowed from Malay saman (“fine, financial penalty”), which is itself borrowed from English summons (“notice summoning someone to appear in court”). This sense re-emerged in English as summon likely due to the erroneous belief that the original singular English word summons is plural. Doublet of summons and saman.
1
Malaysia, Colloquial, Slang A fine; a fee or monetary penalty incurred for breaking the law; usually for a minor offence such as a traffic violation.
You better pay off the parking summon tomorrow before you kena interest on it.
2
Malaysia, Colloquial, Slang A notice of an infringement of the law, usually incurring such a penalty; a citation or ticket.
Etymology Borrowed from Malay saman (“fine, financial penalty”), which is itself borrowed from English summons (“notice summoning someone to appear in court”). This sense re-emerged in English as summon likely due to the erroneous belief that the original singular English word summons is plural. Doublet of summons and saman.