citation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage

   the student's essay failed to list several important citations

2. 2
   noun

   An official summons or notice given to a person to appear.

   No citation was issued upon this appeal returnable to the next term of this court, nor was the record filed and the cause docketed during that term. On the 29th of May, 1865, however, a citation was issued, returnable at this term, and service of this citation was acknowledged by the present district attorney; and the writ was returned and the record filed at this term, under an agreement between the district attorney and the attorney for the claimants, to submit the cause upon printed briefs.

3. 3
   noun

   A quotation with attached bibliographical details demonstrating the use of a particular lexical item in a dictionary, especially a dictionary on historical principles.

   Historically, target words were garnered through focused reading programs and citations were handwritten on slips of paper which were collated alphabetically and stored in drawers for ready access (much like old-fashioned library catalogues).

4. 4
   noun

   Enumeration; mention.

   It's a simple citation of facts.

5. 5
   noun

   a summons that commands the appearance of a party at a proceeding

6. 6
   noun

   a passage or expression that is quoted or cited

7. 7
   noun

   an official award (as for bravery or service) usually given as formal public statement

8. 8
   noun

   (law) the act of citing (as of spoken words or written passages or legal precedents etc.)

Etymology

From Middle English citacioun, from Old French citation, from Latin citātiō. By surface analysis, cite + -ation.