Appeals are an important part of the legal system, but they are not limited to legal matters. Appeals can be made in various situations, and they are used to request a review of a decision or judgment. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of appeals, their origin, and their associations.
Definitions
An appeal is a request for a higher court or authority to review a decision made by a lower court or authority. It is a legal process that allows a party to challenge a decision that they believe is incorrect or unjust. An appeal can be made in both civil and criminal cases.
In general terms, an appeal is a request for reconsideration of a decision. It can be made in a variety of contexts, including academic, administrative, and professional settings.
Origin
The concept of appeals is rooted in ancient legal systems. In ancient Greece, for example, appeals were made to the Areopagus, a council of judges who heard cases and made decisions. In ancient Rome, appeals were made to the praetor, a magistrate who had the power to hear appeals from lower courts.
The modern legal system has its roots in the English common law system, which developed in the Middle Ages. In England, appeals were made to the king or queen, who had the power to overturn decisions made by lower courts.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, an appeal is “a request to a higher court or authority for a decision to be reversed or modified.” Merriam-Webster defines an appeal as “a legal proceeding by which a case is brought before a higher court for review of the decision of a lower court.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines an appeal as “a request to the public for money, information, or help.”
Associations
Appeals are often associated with legal proceedings, but they can also be made in other contexts. For example, a student may appeal a grade that they believe is unfair, or an employee may appeal a disciplinary action taken by their employer.
In addition, appeals can be made for charitable causes, such as fundraising appeals for disaster relief or medical research.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of appeals include:
- Petition.
- Request.
- Plea.
- Entreaty.
- Supplication.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of appeals include:
- Denial.
- Rejection.
- Refusal.
- Dismissal.
- Repudiation.
The same root words
The word “appeal” comes from the Latin word “appellare,” which means “to address or call upon.” Other words that share this root include:
- Appellate: relating to appeals.
- Appellation: a name or title.
- Appellative: a word that describes or refers to a person or thing.
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences that use the word “appeal”:
- The defendant plans to appeal the verdict.
- The charity made a public appeal for donations.
- The student is planning to appeal the grade she received on her final exam.
- The company’s decision to lay off workers has been met with widespread public appeal.
- The appellate court overturned the lower court’s decision.