WorldJuly 13, 2026

recourse

/ˈriːkɔːrs/

Definition

A source of help or a path of action available to someone in a difficult or desperate situation.

Etymology

Derived from the Old French 'recurs' and the Latin 'recursus', meaning 'a running back' or 'a return'. It evolved to signify the act of turning to a person or thing for aid or protection in times of need.

In the news

The article uses 'recourse' to highlight that activists targeted by the Belarusian regime often have no official legal or administrative path to appeal or seek protection against the state's actions. This lack of available remedy deepens the victims' sense of isolation and powerlessness.

Distance Won’t Protect You: Belarusian Transnational Repression in Canada

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