scourge Hear it!

scourge definition

scourge (skʉrj)

noun

  1. a whip or other instrument for flogging
  2. any means of inflicting severe punishment, suffering, or vengeance
  3. any cause of serious trouble or affliction the scourge of war

Etymology: ME < OFr escorgie < L ex, off, from + corrigia, a strap, whip

transitive verb scourged, scourging scourg′·ing

  1. to whip or flog
  2. to punish, chastise, or afflict severely

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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