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Origin and history of resource

resource(n.)

1610s, "any means of supplying a want or deficiency," from French resourse "a source, a spring," noun use of fem. past participle of Old French resourdre "to rally, raise again," from Latin resurgere "rise again" (see resurgent).

The meaning "possibility of aid or assistance" (often with a negative) is by 1690s; the meaning "expedient, device, shift" also is from 1690s. Resources as "a country's wealth, means of raising money and supplies" is recorded by 1779. A library resource center was so called by 1968.

resource(v.)

"supply with resources," 1975, from resource (n.). Related: Resourced; resourcing.

Entries linking to resource

"that rises again," 1804, specifically "revivification of animals," in a translation of Spallanzani's Italian, from Latin resurgere "rise again, lift oneself, be restored," from re- "again" (see re-) + surgere "to rise" (see surge). There was verb resurge "to rise again" (1570s), but it became obsolete.

1807, "shifty, fertile in expedient," from resource (n.) + -ful. By 1847 as "rich or abounding in resources." Related: Resourcefully; resourcefulness. Resourceless is from 1787.

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