/ əˈpiːl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C , U ] appeal (against sth) a formal request to a court or to sb in authority for a judgement or a decision to be changed :
( BrE )
to lodge an appeal
( NAmE )
to file an appeal
( BrE )
an appeal court / judge
( NAmE )
an appeals court / judge
an appeal against the 3-match ban
—see also court of appeal
2.
[ U ] a quality that makes sb/sth attractive or interesting :
mass / wide / popular appeal
The Beatles have never really lost their appeal .
The prospect of living in a city holds little appeal for me.
—see also sex appeal
3.
[ C , U ] appeal (to sb) (for sth) | appeal to sb to do sth an urgent and deeply felt request for money, help or information, especially one made by a charity or by the police :
to launch a TV appeal for donations to the charity
a look of silent appeal
The child's mother made an emotional appeal on TV for his return.
The police made an appeal to the public to remain calm.
4.
[ C ] appeal to sth an indirect suggestion that any good, fair or reasonable person would act in a particular way :
I relied on an appeal to his finer feelings.
■ verb
1.
[ v ] appeal (to sb/sth) (against sth) to make a formal request to a court or to sb in authority for a judgement or a decision to be changed :
He said he would appeal after being found guilty on four counts of murder.
The company is appealing against the ruling.
HELP NOTE : In North American English, the form appeal (sth) (to sb/sth) is usually used, without a preposition
The company has ten days to appeal the decision to the tribunal.
2.
[ v ] appeal (to sb) to attract or interest sb :
The prospect of a long wait in the rain did not appeal.
The design has to appeal to all ages and social groups.
3.
[ v ] appeal (to sb) (for sth) to make a serious and urgent request :
Nationalist leaders appealed for calm.
I am appealing on behalf of the famine victims (= asking for money) .
Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Organizers appealed to the crowd not to panic.
4.
appeal (to sth) to try to persuade sb to do sth by suggesting that it is a fair, reasonable, or honest thing to do :
[ v ]
They needed to appeal to his sense of justice.
[also v speech ]
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WORD 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.