The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Appeal \Ap*peal"\, v. t.
   1. (Law) To apply for the removal of a cause from an inferior
      to a superior judge or court for the purpose of
      re["e]xamination of for decision. --Tomlins.
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            I appeal unto C[ae]sar.               --Acts xxv.
                                                  11.
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   2. To call upon another to decide a question controverted, to
      corroborate a statement, to vindicate one's rights, etc.;
      as, I appeal to all mankind for the truth of what is
      alleged. Hence: To call on one for aid; to make earnest
      request.
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            I appeal to the Scriptures in the original.
                                                  --Horsley.
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            They appealed to the sword.           --Macaulay.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Appeal \Ap*peal"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Appealed; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Appealing.] [OE. appelen, apelen, to appeal, accuse, OF.
   appeler, fr. L. appellare to approach, address, invoke,
   summon, call, name; akin to appellere to drive to; ad +
   pellere to drive. See Pulse, and cf. Peal.]
   1. (Law)
      (a) To make application for the removal of (a cause) from
          an inferior to a superior judge or court for a
          rehearing or review on account of alleged injustice or
          illegality in the trial below. We say, the cause was
          appealed from an inferior court.
      (b) To charge with a crime; to accuse; to institute a
          private criminal prosecution against for some heinous
          crime; as, to appeal a person of felony.
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   2. To summon; to challenge. [Archaic]
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            Man to man will I appeal the Norman to the lists.
                                                  --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.
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   3. To invoke. [Obs.] --Milton.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Appeal \Ap*peal"\, n. [OE. appel, apel, OF. apel, F. appel, fr.
   appeler. See Appeal, v. t.]
   1. (Law)
      (a) An application for the removal of a cause or suit from
          an inferior to a superior judge or court for
          re["e]xamination or review.
      (b) The mode of proceeding by which such removal is
          effected.
      (c) The right of appeal.
      (d) An accusation; a process which formerly might be
          instituted by one private person against another for
          some heinous crime demanding punishment for the
          particular injury suffered, rather than for the
          offense against the public.
      (e) An accusation of a felon at common law by one of his
          accomplices, which accomplice was then called an
          approver. See Approvement. --Tomlins. --Bouvier.
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   2. A summons to answer to a charge. --Dryden.
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   3. A call upon a person or an authority for proof or
      decision, in one's favor; reference to another as witness;
      a call for help or a favor; entreaty.
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            A kind of appeal to the Deity, the author of
            wonders.                              --Bacon.
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   4. Resort to physical means; recourse.
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            Every milder method is to be tried, before a nation
            makes an appeal to arms.              --Kent.
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The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

APPEAL, v.t.  In law, to put the dice into the box for another throw.