/rɪ'kɔ:s; rɪ`kɔrs/
n [U]
1 possible source of help, eg in an emergency 求助的对象（如情况紧急时）
*They managed without recourse to (ie without seeking) outside help. 他们不寻求外援也能应付过去.
* Your only recourse is legal action. 你只有靠诉讼了.
2 (idm 习语) have recourse to sb/sth (fml 文) turn to sb/sth for help; get help from sb/sth 求助于某人[某事物]; 获得来自某人[某事物]的援助
*I hope the doctors won't have recourse to surgery. 我希望医生可别非动手术不可.

n [singular, U]formal
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French;Origin: recours, from Latin, from recurrere; RECUR]
something that you do to achieve something or deal with a situation, or the act of doing it
　We may conclude that he never had recourse to this simple experiment.
without recourse to sth
(=without using or doing something)
　a way of solving disputes without recourse to courts of law
　Surgery may be the only recourse.