1. earnest or urgent request: an earnest or urgent request to somebody for something an emotional appeal for forgiveness
2. campaign to raise money: a campaign to raise money or resources The hospital has launched an appeal for funds.
3. attraction: the quality that makes somebody or something pleasant or desirable The movie's appeal lies in its humor and charm.
4. formal request: a formal request to a higher authority requesting a change in or confirmation of a decision An appeal to the boss might solve the matter.
5. law hearing of case before superior court: the hearing by a superior court of part or the whole of a previously tried case, a request for such a hearing, or the right to have such a hearing
verb (past and past participleap·pealed, present participleap·peal·ing, 3rd person present singularap·peals)
Definition:
1. intransitive verb earnestly request something: to make an earnest or urgent request for something We are appealing to the public to let us know if they see anything suspicious.
2. intransitive verb request money: to ask for or campaign to raise money or resources The charity is appealing for books and toys.
3. intransitive verb make formal request to superior: to make a formal request to a higher authority for a change in or confirmation of a decision You will have to appeal to a senior officer.
4. intransitive verb attract or fascinate somebody: to be interesting or desirable Starting up my own business really appeals to me.
5. transitive and intransitive verb law apply to superior court for hearing: to apply to a superior court for a hearing of the whole or part of a case previously tried in a lower court
6. intransitive verb challenge umpire's decision: to challenge the decision of an umpire or referee
[14th century. Via Old French apeler< Latin appellare "address, entreat," related to pellere "push"]
ap·peal·a·ble adjective
ap·peal·er noun
on appeal at the stage of a court case that involves reconsideration of the decision made at a previous trial
Word History
The Latin word pellere "to push," from which appeal is derived, is also the source of English compel, dispel, expel, impel, propel, pulse1, push, repeal, and repel.
