recourse
UK[rɪˈkɔːs]US[ˈriːkɔːrs]
n
a source of help in a difficult situation
n
the use of someone or something as a source of help in a difficult situation
n
the legal right to demand payment or compensation from another party, especially when the primary party fails to pay
Morpheme Breakdown
re
course
re
again, back
course
run, flow
Etymology
the word "recourse" entered english in the late 14th century from old french 'recours', which itself derived from latin 'recursus' (a return, a retreat). the latin term is a noun formed from the past participle of 'recurrere', meaning "to run back, return". this verb is a compound of the prefix 're-' (back, again) and 'currere' (to run). the literal sense of "a running back, a return" evolved metaphorically. by the early 15th century, it developed the legal and general meaning of "an appeal to a higher authority or power for help", conceptualizing the act of turning back or flowing back to a source of aid or solution in times of trouble.
Analysis
Structure: re (again, back) + course (run, flow)
re: latin origin, a prefix meaning "again, back, backward".
course: from latin 'cursus' (a running, a course), from the verb 'currere' (to run). it functions as the base noun meaning "a run, a flowing path".
Examples
when negotiations failed, they had no recourse but to take legal action.
the bank has recourse to the borrower's assets if the loan is not repaid.
she turned to her old friends as a last recourse after the crisis.