Both Uses of
summon
in
Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You
- Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty.†
*summoned = called forth; or called to come
- Now the trumpet summons us again — not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need — not as a call to battle, though embattled we are — but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation" — a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.†
summons = calls forth; or a document calling to come
Definition:
to call forth
The exact meaning of summon can depend upon its context. For example:
- "summon to court" -- officially demand that someone appear in court (call them to court)
- "summon the team to a meeting" -- call upon the team members to attend a meeting
- "summon help" -- call others to come and help
- "summon her courage" -- call forth her courage from within