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

The court added that the decision could be appealed.

From BBC

But O’Connor, who saw the musical several times over the years, knew there was a “multigenerational” appeal to the story.

From New York Times

The campaign group For Women Scotland challenged this in court, and after a series of appeals they eventually prevailed.

From BBC

It turned out that chocolate that was liked by political opponents had now become significantly less appealing.

From Science Daily

Emulsification is essential to making sure the proteins, fats and water form an integrated network with an appealing texture.

From Salon

Related Words

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