recourse

Recourse is defined as a means of assistance or source of help during a difficult situation or conflict.

(noun)

When you call the police after your car has been stolen and turn to the police for help, this is an example of a situation where the police were your recourse.
When you are able to sue to be compensated or paid for a loss, this is an example of a situation where you have legal recourse.

See recourse in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a turning or seeking for aid, safety, etc.: to have recourse to the law
that to which one turns seeking aid, safety, etc.: one's last recourse
Commerce, Law the right to demand payment from the maker or endorser of a negotiable instrument, as a bill of exchange: usually in , without obligation to pay (added by the endorser to a bill of exchange to escape possible liability)

Origin: ME recours < OFr < L recursus, a running back: see re- & course

See recourse in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The act or an instance of turning or applying to a person or thing for aid or security: have recourse to the courts.
One that is turned or applied to for aid or security: His only recourse was the police.
Law The right to demand payment from the endorser of a commercial paper when the first party liable fails to pay.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English recours

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin recursus, a running back

Origin: , from past participle of recurrere, to run back

Origin: : re-, re-

Origin: + currere, to run; see kers- in Indo-European roots

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