resource

Main Entry:: re·source
Pronunciation:: \ˈrē-ˌsȯrs, -ˌzȯrs, ri-ˈ\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: French ressource, from Old French ressourse relief, resource, from resourdre to relieve, literally, to rise again, from Latin resurgere — more at resurrection
Date:: circa 1611

1 a: a source of supply or support : an available means —usually used in plural b: a natural source of wealth or revenue —often used in plural c: a natural feature or phenomenon that enhances the quality of human life d: computable wealth —usually used in plural e: a source of information or expertise2: something to which one has recourse in difficulty : expedient3: a possibility of relief or recovery4: a means of spending one's leisure time5: an ability to meet and handle a situation : resourcefulness

synonyms resource , resort , expedient , shift , makeshift , stopgap mean something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply. resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon <exhausted all of their resources> <a last resort>. expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible <a flimsy expedient>. shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient <desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure>. makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference <old equipment employed as a makeshift>. stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure <a new law intended only as a stopgap>.

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