a. and sb. Also 6–7 appealant. [a. Fr. appellant, pr. pple. (also used subst.) of appeller: see APPEAL v. and -ANT. Occas. conformed to appeal vb. in 16–17th c.]
A. adj.
1. Law and gen. Appealing: a. accusing, challenging; b. appealing to a higher tribunal against an unsatisfactory decision; c. asking or crying for assistance.
(In Lords Appellants, orig. adj., but soon treated as sb.: cf. ACCOUNTANT.) See B 1.
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., I. i. 34. Free from other misbegotten hate, Come I appealant to this Princely presence.
1700. R. Brady, Cont. Hist. Eng., Rich. II., Index C, Appellant Lords in Richard II.’s Reign.
1808. Bentham, Sc. Reform, 111. Power to the House of Lords … to decree payment … by any of the parties appellant.
1871. J. Macduff, Mem. Patmos, xi. 143. An appellant voice represented as rising loud before Him who sitteth on the throne.
2. Law. As regards appeals; appellate.
1818. Hallam, Mid. Ages (1841), I. v. 458. Their jurisdiction in private causes was merely appellant. Ibid. (1827), Const. Hist. (1876), II. 200. The presbyterian tribunals were made subject to the appellant control of parliament.
B. sb.
1. One who ‘appeals’ another of treason or felony: see APPEAL v. 1. Obs. exc. Hist.
[1387–8. Rot. Parl., III. 236 (xi. Rich. II.). Les ditz Duc & Countes Appellantz.]
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., IV. i. 105. Lords Appealants, your differences shal all rest vnder gage.
1628. Coke, On Litt., 287 b. Wrongs done to the Appellants themselves, as Robbery, Rape.
1691. Blount, Law Dict., Appellant, Is he who hath committed some Felony … and now Appeals, that is, Accuses others who were complices.
1700. R. Brady, Cont. Hist. Eng., Rich. II., 371 C, marg. The Protestation of the 5 Lords Appellants.
1809. Tomlins, Law Dict., H i b. If the appellant [in an Appeal of Death] does not prosecute his appeal, or if he release to the appellant, the appellee may be indicted.
1840. Blackw. Mag., XLVII. 279/2. A person was charged with having poisoned a man; the accuser, called the appellant, [etc.].
1875. J. Gairdner, Lancaster & York, ii. 44–5. Three of the five ‘lords appellants’ of 1387.
† b. Hence, One who challenges another to single combat (orig. to prove upon his body the treason or felony of which he ‘appealed’ him). Obs.
1480. Caxton, Chron. Eng., VII. (1520), 143/2. A great batayll … bytwene two squyers … Gloucestre that was the appellaunt and Arthur the defendaunt.
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., II. iii. 49. Ready are the Appellant and Defendant … to enter the lists.
1671. Milton, Samson, 1220. Answer thy appellant … Who now defies thee thrice to single fight.
2. One who appeals to a higher court against the decision of a lower one; also, gen. One who appeals for vindication or corroboration.
1611. Cotgr., Bailler griefs en plaiderie, an Appealant to alledge the wrongs … done vnto him by the sentence from which he hath appealed.
1726. Ayliffe, Parerg., 72. Pending the Appeal nothing can be attempted in Prejudice of the Appellant.
1826. Southey, Vind. Eccl. Angl., 523. You called for such proofs… I am not the appellant in this controversy.
1846. Ld. Campbell, Chancellors (1856), V. 490. To retain him as junior to prepare the appellant’s case.
b. Ch. Hist. in pl. The Jansenists and others who appealed to a general council against the ‘Unigenitus’ bull issued by Pope Clement XI. against Quesnel’s French translation of the New Testament.
1753. in Chambers, Cycl. Supp.
3. gen. One who appeals, who makes a request, entreaty, or specially pointed address.
1704. Swift, T. Tub, Ded. An humble and an earnest appellant for the laurel.
1853. C. Brontë, Villette, viii. (1876), 67. I have seen her feelings appealed to, and I have smiled in half-pity, half-scorn at the appellants.
