/ rɪˈkɔːs; NAmE ˈriːkɔːrs/ noun
[ U ] ( formal ) the fact of having to, or being able to, use sth that can provide help in a difficult situation :
Your only recourse is legal action.
She made a complete recovery without recourse to surgery.
The government, when necessary, has recourse to the armed forces.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (also in the sense running or flowing back ): from Old French recours , from Latin recursus , from re- back, again + cursus course, running.