Definition of: recourse

(rē′kôrs, -kōrs, ri·kôrs′, -kōrs′) noun
1. Resort to or application for help or security in trouble.
2. Law The right to exact payment from a party secondarily liable, where the first party liable has failed to pay.
3. A source of help or supply; the person or thing resorted to.
4. Obs. Admission; entrance.
—without recourse A restricted or qualified endorsement of a promissory note or transfer thereof, which signifies that the endorser merely transfers the title to the instrument, but disclaims liability for non–payment.
—to have recourse to To go to for advice or help. [<OF recours <L recursus a running back <recurrere. See RECUR.]