appeal

[uh-peel]

noun

1. an earnest request for aid, support, sympathy, mercy, etc.; entreaty; petition; plea.

   Synonyms: invocation, supplication, prayer

2. a request or reference to some person or authority for a decision, corroboration, judgment, etc.

   Synonyms: solicitation, suit

3. Law.

   1. an application or proceeding for review by a higher tribunal.

   2. (in a legislative body or assembly) a formal question as to the correctness of a ruling by a presiding officer.

   3. Obsolete.,  a formal charge or accusation.

4. the power or ability to attract, interest, amuse, or stimulate the mind or emotions.

   The game has lost its appeal.

   Synonyms: attraction

5. Obsolete.,  a summons or challenge.

verb (used without object)

1. to ask for aid, support, mercy, sympathy, or the like; make an earnest entreaty.

   The college appealed to its alumni for funds.

   Synonyms: ask, request

2. Law.,  to apply for review of a case or particular issue to a higher tribunal.

3. to have need of or ask for proof, a decision, corroboration, etc.

4. to be especially attractive, pleasing, interesting, or enjoyable.

   The red hat appeals to me.

verb (used with object)

1. Law.

   1. to apply for review of (a case) to a higher tribunal.

   2. Obsolete.,  to charge with a crime before a tribunal.

appeal

/ əˈpiːl /

noun

1. a request for relief, aid, etc

2. the power to attract, please, stimulate, or interest

   a dress with appeal

3. an application or resort to another person or authority, esp a higher one, as for a decision or confirmation of a decision

4. law

   1. the judicial review by a superior court of the decision of a lower tribunal

   2. a request for such review

   3. the right to such review

5. cricket a verbal request to the umpire from one or more members of the fielding side to declare a batsman out

6. English law (formerly) a formal charge or accusation

   appeal of felony

verb

1. (intr) to make an earnest request for relief, support, etc

2. (intr) to attract, please, stimulate, or interest

3. law to apply to a superior court to review (a case or particular issue decided by a lower tribunal)

4. (intr) to resort (to), as for a decision or confirmation of a decision

5. (intr) cricket to ask the umpire to declare a batsman out

6. (intr) to challenge the umpire's or referee's decision

Other Word Forms

• appealability noun
• appealable adjective
• appealer noun
• nonappealability noun
• nonappealable adjective
• reappeal verb
• unappealed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of appeal¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the verb) Middle English a(p)pelen, from Anglo-French, Old French a(p)peler, from Latin appellāre “to speak to, address,” from ap- ap- ¹ + -pellāre “to push repeatedly,” stem of pellere “to drive, push, strike”; (for the noun) Middle English ap(p)el, from Anglo-French, Old French apel, noun derivative of ap(p)eler

Word History and Origins

Origin of appeal¹

C14: from Old French appeler, from Latin appellāre to entreat (literally: to approach), from pellere to push, drive

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. appeal to the country, country.

Synonym Study

Appeal, entreat, petition, supplicate mean to ask for something wished for or needed. Appeal and petition may concern groups and formal or public requests. Entreat and supplicate are usually more personal and urgent. To appeal is to ask earnestly for help or support, on grounds of reason, justice, common humanity, etc.: to appeal for contributions to a cause. To petition is to ask by written request, by prayer, or the like, that something be granted: to petition for more playgrounds. Entreat suggests pleading: The captured knight entreated the king not to punish him. To supplicate is to beg humbly, usually from a superior, powerful, or stern (official) person: to supplicate that the lives of prisoners be spared.

Example Sentences

Before the Georgia Supreme Court could hear the District Attorney’s appeal, the former president was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And a few weeks ago, Mr. Lowell also folded, settling a defamation case the pair had brought against him, which was dismissed but which the whistleblowers could appeal.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The number of people appealing against a refused asylum decision is updated every three months by the Ministry of Justice at a different time to other government figures on asylum.

Read more on BBC

The backlog of those waiting for a first decision has been declining steadily across the year, but there has been a growing backlog of appeals.

Read more on BBC

But it’s consistently appealing, underpinned by fluent Broadway pop-rock melodies that, importantly, never overwhelm the lyrics, which are trenchant and clever.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• apply 
• ask 
• call 
• call upon 
• claim 
• contest 
• demand 
• petition 
• plead 
• pray 
• propose 
• refer 
• require 
• submit 
• sue 
• urge