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

Derived Forms

• apˈpealer, noun
• apˈpealable, adjective

Other Words From

• ap·peala·bili·ty noun
• ap·peala·ble adjective
• ap·pealer noun
• nonap·peala·bili·ty noun
• nonap·peala·ble adjective
• reap·peal verb
• unap·pealed 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, British. country ( def 15 ).

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

No matter the flavor, they lack marshmallow stickiness and cloying sweetness of Rice Krispies treats, as well as the bake-sale appeal.

From Eater

Market-specific, rather than pan-regional, newsroom coverage will also grow the publisher’s appeal, he said.

From Digiday

Tichina Arnold might be the funniest person on screen, and a large part of her appeal comes from her willingness to tell it like it is.

From Ozy

Rodríguez is currently awaiting the outcome of the appeal in her case, a process that has been delayed for more than six months.

From Washington Blade

Platforms would also have to create complaint systems that notify users within 14 days of taking down their content and provide for appeals.

From MIT Technology Review

More to the point, Huckabee has a natural appeal to a party that has come to represent the bulk of working class white voters.

From The Daily Beast

Having regional appeal is one thing; simply being a regional candidate is another.

From The Daily Beast

In January, an appeal hearing will determine whether he qualifies for post-conviction relief.

From The Daily Beast

“Basically, I was contacted and asked if an appeal could be opened on my behalf,” she told me from her home in Providence.

From The Daily Beast

I was on Charlie Rose recently, and in discussing Marilyn Monroe he asked, what do you think was her great appeal?

From The Daily Beast

He came back in due time, but bringing nothing for me, and I felt that my appeal had been in vain.

From Project Gutenberg

Make a personal appeal to your men and Godley's to make a supreme effort to hold their ground.

From Project Gutenberg

While Nature is thus speaking to a child through her light, her colour and her various forms, human art makes appeal also.

From Project Gutenberg

A burning crimson flushed over the cheek of Wharton, as Louis uttered this ardent appeal to friendship and to Heaven.

From Project Gutenberg

It was then that he heard for the first time Mamma's passionate appeal to him never to let Judy forget Mamma.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• application
• bid
• call
• claim
• demand
• overture
• petition
• plea
• proposal
• question
• suit