The word "citation" refers to a reference to a source of information, typically used in academic writing. It acknowledges the original author or creator of a piece of work, enabling readers to locate the original source. Citations are important for avoiding plagiarism and giving credit to the creators of the content you are using.
The word "citation" comes from the Latin word "citare," meaning "to summon" or "to call." It evolved through Old French before entering the English language around the 14th century, retaining its meaning related to referring or summoning information.