appel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very low frequency, specialized)Technical / Formal / Archaic
Quick answer
What does “appel” mean?
In English, 'appel' is a rare term, most frequently encountered in fencing terminology, where it refers to a sharp, deliberate stamp of the front foot to distract or unbalance an opponent. Outside fencing, it is an archaic or poetic verb meaning to call, name, or appeal to.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In English, 'appel' is a rare term, most frequently encountered in fencing terminology, where it refers to a sharp, deliberate stamp of the front foot to distract or unbalance an opponent. Outside fencing, it is an archaic or poetic verb meaning to call, name, or appeal to.
The term can also be found in some legal or formal historical contexts as a variant of 'appeal', though this is obsolete. In modern general usage, it is almost entirely confined to the sport of fencing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning or use, as it is a highly specialized technical term in fencing, which uses French terminology internationally.
Connotations
Technical precision; historical or literary flavour when used outside fencing.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both dialects outside the specific context of fencing.
Grammar
How to Use “appel” in a Sentence
to execute [an appel]to make [an appel][the fencer] appelledVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “appel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The fencer appelled sharply before launching his attack.
- (Archaic) The herald did appel the knights to the tournament.
American English
- She appelled to disrupt her opponent's timing.
- (Archaic) They would appel the ancient gods for victory.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form.
American English
- No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjectival form.
American English
- No standard adjectival form.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics discussing Old French, or in sports science papers on fencing.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Core term in fencing coaching and literature.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “appel”
- Misspelling as 'apple'.
- Using it in general contexts where 'appeal' or 'call' is intended.
- Incorrect stress placement (stress is on the second syllable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While historically related, in modern English 'appel' is a distinct, rare word with a specific meaning in fencing and an archaic verbal sense.
It is pronounced identically to the word 'appeal' (/əˈpiːl/ is incorrect for this word). The correct IPA is /əˈpɛl/, rhyming with 'bell'.
Almost certainly not. Unless you are discussing the sport of fencing, your listener will likely not understand it or assume you mean 'appeal' or 'apple'.
It is borrowed directly from French, where 'appel' means 'call' or 'appeal', metaphorically describing the foot's 'call' or signal to the opponent.
In English, 'appel' is a rare term, most frequently encountered in fencing terminology, where it refers to a sharp, deliberate stamp of the front foot to distract or unbalance an opponent. Outside fencing, it is an archaic or poetic verb meaning to call, name, or appeal to.
Appel is usually technical / formal / archaic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in common usage.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a fencer APPELing (appealing) to the ground with a sharp stamp of the foot.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CALL TO ATTENTION (The foot stamps as if calling the opponent to react).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'appel' most likely to be used correctly today?