appeal
Definitions
An earnest public request for help, money, or support
呼吁，恳请
A formal request for a higher court to review a decision
上诉
The quality of being attractive or interesting
吸引力，魅力
To make an earnest request to someone
呼吁，恳求
To formally ask a higher court to review a decision
上诉
To be attractive or interesting to someone
对……有吸引力
Root Breakdown
Native Englishad- (toward, here ap- before p) + pellere (push) went through Latin appellare 'to address, call upon,' so the 'push' softened into 'direct your words toward someone.' That one act fans out into all three modern senses: call upon people for help (appeal for donations), call upon a higher court (appeal a verdict), and 'attract,' because an appealing thing calls out to you and pulls your interest in.
Root pel still carries 52 more wordsUsage Guide
Three senses take different structures. (1) Request: appeal TO someone FOR something (appeal to the public for calm). (2) Attract: appeal TO someone (the idea appeals to me) — no object after, it's intransitive. (3) Law: appeal (against) a decision, or appeal to a higher court. Mixing them up ('this appeals me') is a common error — use 'appeals to me.'
Example Sentences
- 1.
The charity launched an appeal for flood victims.
- 2.
His lawyer said they would appeal against the verdict.
- 3.
The simple design has a wide appeal.
- 4.
Fast food doesn't appeal to me anymore.