“appearance” is used particularly to signify or designate the overt act by which one against whom suit has been commenced submits himself to the court’s jurisdiction, [Blankenship v Blankenship, 263 Ala 297, 82 So 2d 335;

Appearance. A coming into court as party to a suit, either in person or by attorney, whether as plaintiff or defendant. The formal proceeding by which a defendant submits himself to the jurisdiction of the court. The voluntary submission to a court's jurisdiction. Black’s law Dictionary 5th Ed.