The term “appellate” is widely used in the legal profession, but not everyone is familiar with its meaning and significance. In simple terms, appellate refers to the process of appealing a decision made by a lower court or tribunal. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of appellate, its origin, and its associations in different contexts.
Definitions
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, appellate means “having the power to review and decide appeals.” In legal terms, it refers to a higher court that has the authority to review and overturn decisions made by a lower court.
Origin
The word appellate comes from the Latin term “appellare,” which means “to call upon.” This term was used in the context of calling upon a higher authority to review a decision made by a lower court.
Meaning in different dictionaries
In addition to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, other dictionaries also define appellate in similar terms. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “relating to or having the power to hear appeals.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “relating to the process of appealing a decision made by a lower court.”
Associations
Appellate is most commonly associated with the legal profession, where it refers to a higher court that has the authority to review and overturn decisions made by a lower court. However, it can also be used in other contexts, such as in the business world, where it may refer to a higher authority that has the power to review and overturn decisions made by a lower-level manager.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of appellate include:
- Appellate court.
- Court of appeals.
- Higher court.
- Reviewing court.
- Appeal court.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of appellate include:
- Lower court.
- Trial court.
- District court.
- Magistrate court.
The same root words
The root word of appellate is “appellare,” which means “to call upon.” Other words that share this root include:
- Appellation.
- Appellate jurisdiction.
- Appellate review.
Example Sentences
- The appellate court overturned the lower court’s decision on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
- The company’s board of directors serves as the appellate authority for disputes between managers.
- The defendant’s legal team filed an appeal with the appellate court, hoping to have the verdict overturned.