The Spanish word 'cita' (meaning 'appointment' or 'citation') comes from the Spanish verb 'citar' meaning 'to cite' or 'to summon'. This verb traces back to the Latin 'citare' meaning 'to summon' or 'call', which itself derives from the Latin verb 'ciere' meaning 'to set in motion'. The evolution of meaning from 'setting in motion' to 'summoning' to modern 'appointment' shows how the concept of calling someone to come to a specific place or time developed into our modern notion of a scheduled meeting.

A closely related Spanish word is the verb 'citar', which is actually more basic than 'cita' since it's the verb form meaning 'to cite' or 'to make an appointment'. When you 'citar' someone, you are setting up a 'cita' (appointment) with them. The verb is also used in academic contexts to mean 'to cite' or 'quote', just like in English.

Several common English words share the same Latin root as 'cita'. The word 'cite' comes directly from the same Latin 'citare', and 'citation' is also related. Even the word 'excite' is connected, as it comes from 'excitare', which combines 'ex-' (out) with 'citare', literally meaning 'to call out' or 'set in motion', though its meaning has evolved to indicate stirring up emotions or enthusiasm.