Definition

1. Noun:
   • A formal warning or caution: "monition" refers to an official or authoritative warning, often about imminent danger or undesirable consequences.
   • A summons or legal notice: In legal contexts, "monition" is a formal written order from a court, typically requiring someone to appear or to show cause why a certain action should not be taken.
   • An admonition or rebuke: It can also signify a firm piece of advice or a reprimand intended to correct behavior.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The judge issued a monition to the parties involved. (The judge issued a formal legal notice to the parties involved.)
  • He ignored the monition about the approaching storm. (He ignored the warning about the approaching storm.)
  • The priest's monition was about the perils of greed. (The priest's admonition was about the perils of greed.)

Advanced Usage

• "to serve a monition": to formally deliver a legal warning or summons.
  • The court will serve a monition to the defendant. (The court will formally deliver a legal notice to the defendant.)

Variants and Related Words

• Admonition (n): A firm warning or piece of advice, often with a corrective intent. This is a close synonym.
  • She gave him an admonition to be more careful.
• Monitor (v/n): To observe or check; a person or device that monitors. Shares the Latin root (to warn).
  • We must monitor the situation closely.

Synonyms

• Warning: An indication of possible danger or problem.
• Caution: Care taken to avoid danger; a warning.
• Admonishment: A firm warning or reprimand.
• Summons: An order to appear in court.

Related Phrases

• Letter of monition: A formal written warning.
  • He received a letter of monition from his employer. (He received a formal written warning from his employer.)

Related Idioms

• A word to the wise is sufficient: This proverb relates to the concept of a monition, suggesting that a hint or brief warning is enough for a sensible person.
  • I'll just say this once—a word to the wise is sufficient.

Noun

1. a summons issued after the filing of a libel or claim directing all parties concerned to show cause why the judgment asked for should not be granted
2. cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness)
   • a letter of admonition about the dangers of immorality
   • the warning was to beware of surprises
   • his final word of advice was not to play with matches
3. a firm rebuke