summons Copy link Outline I. A message or call1. vŏcātus, ūs, m. (only in abl. sing.)2. accītus, ūs, m. (only in abl. sing.)3. arcessītus, ūs, m. (only in abl. sing)II. In law, a citation to appear in court • summons: I. A message or call: 1. vŏcātus, ūs, m. (only in abl. sing.): v. call (subs.). 2. accītus, ūs, m. (only in abl. sing.): the magistrates are called out at his s., magistratus accitu istius evocantur, Cic. Verr. 3, 28, 68: at the s. of his dear sire, accitu cari genitoris, Virg. Aen. 1, 677. 3. arcessītus, ūs, m. (only in abl. sing): when I had come to him at his own request and s., quum ad eum ipsius rogatu arcessituque venissem, Cic. N. D. 1, 6, 15: I come here at your s., tuo a. venio huc, Pl. Stich. 2, 2, 3. Phr.: that he would take up arms at the first s., ubi primum bellicum cani audisset, arma capturum, Liv. 35, 18: v. also signal. [N.B.--To give or receive a s., may be expr. by the act. or pass. of verb: v. to summon.] II. In law, a citation to appear in court: vŏcātio: Varr. in Gell. 13, 12, med.: ib. 13, 13, fin. [N.B.--To serve a s., may be expr. by appello s. appello de pecunia (v. to summon, III., c.): to receive a s., by appellari s. appellari de pecunia.]