Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Recourse?

\Re*course"\ (r?*k?rs"), n. [F. recours, L. recursus a running back, return, fr. recurrere, recursum, to run back. See {Recur}.] 1. A coursing back, or coursing again, along the line of a previous coursing; renewed course; return; retreat; recurence. [Obs.] ``Swift recourse of flushing blood.'' --Spenser. Unto my first I will have my recourse. --Chaucer. Preventive physic . . . preventeth sickness in the healthy, or the recourse thereof in the valetudinary. --Sir T. Browne. 2. Recurrence in difficulty, perplexity, need, or the like; access or application for aid; resort. Thus died this great peer, in a time of great recourse unto him and dependence upon him. --Sir H. Wotton. Our last recourse is therefore to our art. --Dryden. 3. Access; admittance. [Obs.] Give me recourse to him. --Shak. {Without recourse} (Commerce), words sometimes added to the indorsement of a negotiable instrument to protect the indorser from liability to the indorsee and subsequent holders. It is a restricted indorsement.
\Re*course"\, v. i. 1. To return; to recur. [Obs.] The flame departing and recoursing. --Foxe. 2. To have recourse; to resort. [Obs.] --Bp. Hacket.