The act of turning to someone or something for help or protection when other options have been exhausted. It can also refer to a source of help or a legal remedy available to someone.
From Old French 'recours' meaning 'a running back,' derived from Latin 'recursus' from 'recurrere' (to run back). The sense evolved from physical return to seeking help or remedy.
Recourse beautifully captures the human tendency to seek backup plans and safety nets. In legal contexts, it often appears in the phrase 'without recourse,' meaning you can't come back for more help if things go wrong!
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