Definition of Citation

In practice. A writ issued out of a court of competent jurisdiction, commanding a person therein named to appear on a day named and do something therein mentioned or show cause why he should not Proc. Prac. The act by which a person is so'summon-ed or cited. It is used in thls sense, in American law, in the practice upon writs of error from the United States supreme court, and in the proceedings of courts of probate in many of the states. Leavitt v. Lcavitt, 135 Mass. 193; State v. McCann, 67 Me. 374; Schwartz v. Lake, 109 La. 1081, 34 South. 96; Co.hen v. Virginia, 6 Wheat. 410, 5 L. Ed. 257. This is also the name of the process used in the English ecclesiastical, probate, and divorce courts ip call the defendant or respondent before them. 3 Bl. Comm. 100; 3 Steph. Comm. 720. In Scotch practice. The calling of a party to an action done by an officer of the court under a proper warrant. The service of a writ or bill of summons. Paters. Co.mp.