resource

[ ree-sawrs, -sohrs, -zawrs, -zohrs, ri-sawrs, -sohrs, -zawrs, -zohrs ]
/ ˈri sɔrs, -soʊrs, -zɔrs, -zoʊrs, rɪˈsɔrs, -ˈsoʊrs, -ˈzɔrs, -ˈzoʊrs /

noun

a source of supply, support, or aid, especially one that can be readily drawn upon when needed.
resources, the collective wealth of a country or its means of producing wealth.
Usually resources. money, or any property that can be converted into money; assets.
Often resources. an available means afforded by the mind or one's personal capabilities: to have resource against loneliness.
an action or measure to which one may have recourse in an emergency; expedient.
capability in dealing with a situation or in meeting difficulties: a woman of resource.

Origin of resource

1640–50; < French ressource, Old French ressourse, noun derivative of resourdre to rise up < Latin resurgere, equivalent to re- re- + surgere to rise up, lift; see resurge, source

SYNONYMS FOR resource

1, 5 resort.
5 means, contrivance, shift.
6 inventiveness, adapability, ingenuity, cleverness.

OTHER WORDS FROM resource

re·source·less, adjective re·source·less·ness, noun

Words nearby resource

resorption lacuna, resort, resorter, resound, resounding, resource, resourceful, resources, resp., respawn, respect

Example sentences from the Web for resourceless

  • He knew not what to say or do, but gazed in resourceless suspense at the strange figure she made.

    The Damnation of Theron Ware |Harold Frederic

  • The inactivity of Watson is only to be accounted for by his total ignorance of the resourceless state of Marion's rifles.

    The Life of Francis Marion |William Gilmore Simms

British Dictionary definitions for resourceless

resource
/ (rɪˈzɔːs, -ˈsɔːs) /

noun

capability, ingenuity, and initiative; quick-wittedness a man of resource
(often plural) a source of economic wealth, esp of a country (mineral, land, labour, etc) or business enterprise (capital, equipment, personnel, etc)
a supply or source of aid or support; something resorted to in time of need
a means of doing something; expedient

Derived forms of resource

resourceless, adjective resourcelessness, noun

Word Origin for resource

C17: from Old French ressourse relief, from resourdre to rise again, from Latin resurgere, from re- + surgere to rise