v. & n.
v. 1 intr. make an earnest or formal request; plead (appealed for calm; appealed to us not to leave). 2 intr. (usu. foll. by to) be attractive or of interest; be pleasing. 3 intr. (foll. by to) resort to or cite for support. 4 Law a intr. (often foll. by to) apply (to a higher court) for a reconsideration of the decision of a lower court. b tr. refer to a higher court to review (a case). c intr. (foll. by against) apply to a higher court to reconsider (a verdict or sentence). 5 intr. Cricket call on the umpire for a decision on whether a batsman is out.
n. 1 the act or an instance of appealing. 2 a formal or urgent request for public support, esp. financial, for a cause. 3 Law the referral of a case to a higher court. 4 attractiveness; appealing quality (sex appeal). appealer n.
[ ME f. OF apel, apeler f. L appellare to address ]