Definition

1. Noun:
   • A source of help or support: "Recourse" refers to something or someone that one turns to for assistance, protection, or security in a difficult situation.
   • The act of seeking help: "Recourse" also denotes the action of turning to such a source for aid or as a solution to a problem.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • His only recourse was the police. (He had no other option but to seek help from the police.)
  • She had no recourse but to sell her house to pay the debt. (She was forced to use the option of selling her house.)
  • The contract allows for legal recourse in case of a dispute. (The contract permits the action of seeking help from the legal system.)

Advanced Usage

• "To have recourse to (something/someone)": to use or turn to something or someone for help.
  • When negotiations failed, they had recourse to arbitration. (When talks failed, they used arbitration as their solution.)
• "As a last resort/recourse": used when all other options have been exhausted.
  • Borrowing money from family was his last recourse. (Asking family for a loan was his final option.)

Variants and Related Words

• Recourse loan (n): A type of loan where the lender can seek repayment from the borrower's other assets if the loan collateral is insufficient. (Note: This is a compound term listed separately as per instructions.)
• Without recourse: A legal phrase, often on financial documents, meaning the holder has no right to seek payment from a previous endorser if the issuer fails to pay.

Synonyms

• Resort: a course of action that is turned to.
• Option: a choice or possibility.
• Alternative: another possibility.
• Remedy: a means of solving a problem.

Related Phrases

• "To seek recourse": to try to find help or a solution.
  • The victims sought recourse through the courts. (The victims tried to get help by going to the legal system.)
• "Avenue of recourse": a possible method or path for seeking help.
  • Filing a complaint is a valid avenue of recourse. (Submitting a complaint is a legitimate way to seek a solution.)

Related Idioms

• "Left without recourse": having no options or sources of help available.
  • After the warranty expired, he was left without recourse for the broken appliance. (He had no way to get help fixing it after the warranty ended.)

Noun

1. something or someone turned to for assistance or security
   • his only recourse was the police
   • took refuge in lying
2. act of turning to for assistance
   • have recourse to the courts
   • an appeal to his uncle was his last resort