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appel

[uh-pel, a-pel; French a-pel]
noun, plural ap·pels [uh-pelz, a-pelz; French a-pel] /əˈpɛlz, æˈpɛlz; French aˈpɛl/. Fencing.
  1. a tap or stamp of the foot, formerly serving as a warning of one's intent to attack, but now also used as a feint.
  2. a sharp stroke with the blade used for the purpose of procuring an opening.

Origin of appel

From French; see origin at appeal
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for appel

Historical Examples of appel

  • And say, Appel, you ain't seen nobody but only Quinlan and Geltfin—eh?

    Sundry Accounts

    Irvin S. Cobb

  • Wallie did not seem displeased by the accusation as he passed on to Mrs. Appel.

    The Dude Wrangler

    Caroline Lockhart

  • I had not observed that it was warmer than usual, Mrs. Appel.

    The Dude Wrangler

    Caroline Lockhart

  • "Aw—you'll be back when it gets cold weather," said Mr. Appel.

    The Dude Wrangler

    Caroline Lockhart

  • It had been years since Mr. Appel had spoken to his wife like that.

    The Dude Wrangler

    Caroline Lockhart

British Dictionary definitions for appel

appel

noun fencing
  1. a stamp of the foot, used to warn of one's intent to attack
  2. a sharp blow with the blade made to procure an opening

Word Origin for appel

from French: challenge

Appel

noun
  1. Karel (ˈkaːrəl). 1921–2006, Dutch abstract expressionist painter
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012