appeal

 
Pronunciation: /əˈpiːl/

verb

[no object]
  • 1make a serious, urgent, or heartfelt request: police are appealing for information about the incident she appealed to Germany for political asylum
  • (appeal to) try to persuade someone to do something by calling on (a particular principle or quality): I appealed to his sense of justice
  • Cricket (of the bowler or fielders) call on the umpire to declare a batsman out, traditionally with a shout of ‘How’s that?’.
  • 2 Law apply to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court: he said he would appeal against the conviction
  • [with object] chiefly North American apply to a higher court for a reversal of (the decision of a lower court): they have 48 hours to appeal the decision
  • 3be attractive or interesting: the range of topics will appeal to youngsters

noun

  • 1a serious, urgent, or heartfelt request: his mother made an appeal for the return of the ring
  • Cricket a shout of ‘How’s that?’ or a similar call by a bowler or fielder to an umpire to declare a batsman out.
  • [mass noun] entreaty: a look of appeal on his face
  • an attempt to persuade someone do to something by calling on a particular principle or quality: an appeal to their common cultural values
  • 2 Law an application to a higher court for a decision to be reversed: he has 28 days in which to lodge an appeal [mass noun]: the right of appeal
  • 3a request for donations to support a charity or cause: a public appeal to raise £120,000
  • 4 [mass noun] the quality of being attractive or interesting: the popular appeal of football

Derivatives

appealer

noun

Origin:

Middle English (in legal contexts): from Old French apel (noun), apeler (verb), from Latin appellare 'to address', based on ad- 'to' + pellere 'to drive'