Word: summonsed
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Dates: during 1870-1879
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Ah! Sophomore, a summons waits
said the cruel Sophomore, as he locked in the coal-closet the boy from the Secretary's office, and threw his last summons into the fire.
SINCE the beginning of the term I have received three invitations from University 5. Whenever I want to inform a friend of the fact I am in doubt as to the correct expression. Ought I to say that I have had three summons or three summonses? The notices on the bulletin boards seem to sanction the latter form. Then must I say that I am summoned or summonsed? If I have received three summonses, it is only consistent to say that I have been three times summonsed...
The noun summons is derived from the French semonce, an invitation to a ceremony, - a peculiarly happy derivation in view of its present use. The verb to summon (which in England, by the way, is always pronounced summonce) is derived from the French semoncer, to reprimand, to lecture, to give...
If the derivative has preserved in Cambridge its primitive meaning, I should like to know it, but my main purpose in writing is to find out whether to summon or to summons is sanctioned by the best usage. If the Crimson, or any of its contributors, can throw any light...