reˈssort Now rare.
[a. F. ressort.]
† 1. A mechanical spring. (Cf. resort n. 10.)
| 1658 R. White tr. Digby's Powd. Symp. (1660) 144, I see wheels, ressorts, and counterpoises. 1676 Temple Let. to Sir J. Williamson Wks. 1720 II. 391 This..might be very material for his Majesty and Ministers to know, as the main Ressort of the present Government. 1692 M. Morgan Late Victory over French Fleet Ded. iii, They who are behind the Curtain, and play the Ressorts of the Machine, laugh at the Easiness of their Votaries. |
2. = resort n. 2 c.
| [1727–38 Chambers Cycl. s.v., Presidials judge in the last ressort of all criminals prosecuted by the provosts of the marshals.] 1878 Stevenson Inland Voy. 170 Every man is his own doctor of divinity in the last ressort. |