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Prosecute vs Summon - What's the difference?

prosecute | summon |

In legal|lang=en terms the difference between prosecute and summon

is that prosecute is (legal) to charge, try while summon is (legal) to order someone to appear in court, especially by issuing a summons.

As verbs the difference between prosecute and summon

is that prosecute is (legal) to start criminal proceedings against while summon is to call people together; to convene.

As a noun summon is

call, command, order.

prosecute

English

Verb

(prosecut)
  • (legal) To start criminal proceedings against.
  • to prosecute a man for trespass, or for a riot
  • * Milton
  • To acquit themselves and prosecute their foes.
  • (legal) To charge, try.
  • To seek to obtain by legal process.
  • to prosecute a right or a claim in a court of law
  • To pursue something to the end.
  • to prosecute a scheme, hope, or claim
  • * Shakespeare
  • I am beloved of beauteous Hermia; / Why should not I, then, prosecute my right?

    Derived terms

    * prosecutable

    summon

    English

    (wikipedia summon)

    Verb

    (en-verb) (transitive)
  • To call people together; to convene.
  • * 2007 . Zerzan, John. Silence .
  • Silence is primary, summoning presence to itself; so it's a connection to the realm of origin.
  • To ask someone to come; to send for.
  • * 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.
  • (legal) To order someone to appear in court, especially by issuing a summons.
  • Derived terms

    * summons * summon up

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • call, command, order
  • The king's summons .