appl

Noun

appeal (countable and uncountable, plural appeals)

1. An application to a superior court or judge for a decision or order by an inferior court or judge to be reviewed and overturned.
2. The legal document or form by which such an application is made; also, the court case in which the application is argued.
3. A person's legal right to apply to court for such a review.
   • I have an appeal against the lower court decision.
4. (historical) An accusation or charge against someone for wrongdoing (especially treason).
   • Anciently an appeal lay for high treaſon. […] But it ſeems to be taken away by the ſt[atute] 1 H[enry] 4. 14. And now, if murder be made treaſon, an appeal does not lie.1793, John Comyns, Stewart Kyd, “Appeal”, in A Digest of the Laws of England. […], 4th edition, volume I, Dublin: Luke White, →OCLC, page 515
5. (historical) A process which formerly might be instituted by one private person against another for some heinous crime demanding punishment for the particular injury suffered, rather than for the offence against the public; an accusation.
   • Ovld Iohn of Gaunt time honoured Lancaſter, / Haſt thou according to thy oath and bande / Brought hither Henrie Herford thy bolde ſonne, / Here to make good the boiſtrous late appeale, / Which then our leyſure would not let vs heare / Againſt the Duke of Norfolke, Thomas Moubray?1595 December 9 (first known performance), [William Shakespeare], The Tragedie of King Richard the Second. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Valentine Simmes for Androw Wise, […], published 1597...
6. (historical) At common law, an accusation made against a felon by one of their accomplices (called an approver).

See all 23 meanings of appeal