appellant
|ap-pel-lant|
/əˈpɛlənt/
a person who asks a higher court to reverse a decision
Etymology
'appellant' originates from Late Latin, specifically the word 'appellans' (the present participle of 'appellare'), where 'appellare' meant 'to address, call upon'.
'appellant' changed from Old French 'apelant' and Middle English forms such as 'appell(a)nt' and eventually became the modern English word 'appellant'.
Initially, it meant 'one who calls or addresses', but over time it evolved into its current legal meaning of 'a person who appeals a court decision'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who applies to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court; someone who appeals.
The appellant argued that the trial had been unfair.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/24 03:50