I. ˈrēˌkō(ə)rs, -ȯ(ə)rs, -ōəs, -ȯ(ə)s, ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: Middle English recours, from Middle French, from Late Latin recursus, from Latin, act of running back, from recursus, past participle of recurrere to run back — more at recur
1.
a. : a turning to someone or something in search of help, support, protection, or safety
had recourse to his brother
does not hesitate to have recourse to religion — J.G.Frazer
handle their own difficulties without recourse to outside help — G.P.Wibberley
b. : someone or something that can be turned to for help, support, protection, or safety : a source of help or strength : resort
was afraid no recourse was left
2. obsolete
a. : a movement or flow in one direction or another
b. : a periodical recurrence of something
c. : repeated visiting : habitual resort
d. : admittance to someone or something : access
3. : the right to demand payment ; specifically : the right to demand payment from the one that makes out or endorses a negotiable instrument (as a check) — used chiefly in the phrase without recourse placed after the endorsement of a negotiable instrument to protect the endorser from liability to the endorsee and subsequent holders
II. intransitive verb
obsolete : to have recourse : resort