n.
Pronunciation: ' r ē - ˌ so ̇ rs, - ˌ zo ̇ rs, ri- '
Function: noun
Etymology: French ressource, from Old French ressourse relief, resource, from resourdre to relieve, literally, to rise again, from Latin resurgere ― more at RESURRECTION
Date: circa 1611
1 a : a source of supply or support : an available means ― usually used in plural b : a natural source of wealth or revenue ― often used in plural c : a natural feature or phenomenon that enhances the quality of human life d : computable wealth ― usually used in plural e : a source of information or expertise
2 : something to which one has recourse in difficulty : EXPEDIENT
3 : a possibility of relief or recovery
4 : a means of spending one's leisure time
5 : an ability to meet and handle a situation : RESOURCEFULNESS
synonyms RESOURCE , RESORT , EXPEDIENT , SHIFT , MAKESHIFT , STOPGAP mean something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply. RESOURCE and RESORT apply to anything one falls back upon <exhausted all of their resources > <a last resort >. EXPEDIENT may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible <a flimsy expedient >. SHIFT implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient <desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure>. MAKESHIFT implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference <old equipment employed as a makeshift >. STOPGAP applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure <a new law intended only as a stopgap >.