recourse

American  

[ree-kawrs, -kohrs, ri-kawrs, -kohrs] / ˈri kɔrs, -koʊrs, rɪˈkɔrs, -ˈkoʊrs /

noun

1. access or resort to a person or thing for help or protection.

   to have recourse to the courts for justice.

2. a person or thing resorted to for help or protection.

3. the right to collect from a maker or endorser of a negotiable instrument. The endorser may add the words “without recourse” on the instrument, thereby transferring the instrument without assuming any liability.

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recourse British  

/ rɪˈkɔːs /

noun

1. the act of resorting to a person, course of action, etc, in difficulty or danger (esp in the phrase have recourse to )

2. a person, organization, or course of action that is turned to for help, protection, etc

3. the right to demand payment, esp from the drawer or endorser of a bill of exchange or other negotiable instrument when the person accepting it fails to pay

4. a qualified endorsement on such a negotiable instrument, by which the endorser protects himself or herself from liability to subsequent holders

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Etymology

Origin of recourse

1350–1400; Middle English recours < Old French < Late Latin recursus, Latin: return, retreat, noun use of past participle of recurrere to run back; recur

Example Sentences

Smaller suppliers in particular have little recourse to recoup costs when automakers cancel a vehicle program and stop buying parts, Karol said.

From The Wall Street Journal

There is fear of bombardments, but "there is no other recourse -- people don't have money to eat. Life has become impossible", she said.

From Barron's

He threatened to seek legal recourse if Bianco does not halt his investigation.

From Los Angeles Times

But if they do gain access to your biometric data, by hacking a site where it’s stored, for example, you have no recourse.

From The Wall Street Journal

Of course nominees and winners have opinions about politics, science, social issues, international conflict and those suffering without recourse or voice — that’s why they make movies.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• remedy