The legal system is often filled with complex terminologies that can be difficult to understand for the general public. One such term is “appellant.” In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of the term “appellant.”
Definitions
An appellant is a person who appeals a court decision. In other words, they are the party who files an appeal against a judgment or ruling made by a lower court. The appellant argues that the lower court made an error in its decision and seeks to have the decision overturned or modified.
Origin
The word “appellant” has its roots in Latin. It comes from the word “appellare,” which means to call or to address. The term was first used in English legal language in the 16th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an appellant is “one who appeals a decision or judgment to a higher court.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a party to an appeal.”
Associations
The term “appellant” is commonly associated with the legal system and court proceedings. It is often used in the context of civil and criminal cases, where a party seeks to appeal a decision made by a lower court.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of the term “appellant” include petitioner, complainant, appellantant, and plaintiff in error.
Antonyms
The antonyms of appellant are respondent, appellee, and defendant.
The same root words
The root word of “appellant” is “appellare,” which means to call or to address. Other words that have the same root include “appellation,” which means a name or title, and “appeal,” which means to make a request for a higher court to review a decision.
Example Sentences
Here are a few examples of how the term “appellant” can be used in a sentence:
- The appellant argued that the lower court had made a mistake in its ruling.
- The appellant filed an appeal against the decision of the district court.
- The appellant’s lawyer presented new evidence to support their case in the appeal.
- The appellant’s appeal was denied by the higher court.
- The appellant was able to successfully overturn the lower court’s decision on appeal.