Appealable

/əˈpiːləbəl/ adjective

Definition

Able to be appealed; describing a court decision or ruling that can be taken to a higher court for review.

Etymology

From 'appeal' plus the suffix '-able' (capable of being), created in legal English to distinguish cases that can versus cannot be appealed. The suffix comes from Latin '-abilis.'

Kelly Says

Not every legal decision is 'appealable'—some are final by law. This word creates a crucial distinction in the legal system between decisions you can challenge and decisions you're stuck with, which is why judges care deeply about what counts as appealable.

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