[syn: lay waste to, waste, devastate, desolate, ravage, scourge]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Scourge \Scourge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scourged; p. pr. & vb.
n. Scourging.] [From Scourge, n.: cf. OF. escorgier.]
1. To whip severely; to lash.
[1913 Webster]
Is it lawful for you to scourge a . . . Roman?
--Acts xxii.
25.
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2. To punish with severity; to chastise; to afflict, as for
sins or faults, and with the purpose of correction.
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Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth
every son whom he receiveth. --Heb. xii. 6.
[1913 Webster]
3. To harass or afflict severely.
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To scourge and impoverish the people. --Brougham.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Scourge \Scourge\, n. [F. escourg['e]e, fr. L. excoriata (sc.
scutica) a stripped off (lash or whip), fr. excoriare to
strip, to skin. See Excoriate.]
1. A lash; a strap or cord; especially, a lash used to
inflict pain or punishment; an instrument of punishment or
discipline; a whip.
[1913 Webster]
Up to coach then goes
The observed maid, takes both the scourge and reins.
--Chapman.
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2. Hence, a means of inflicting punishment, vengeance, or
suffering; an infliction of affliction; a punishment.
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Sharp scourges of adversity. --Chaucer.
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What scourge for perjury
Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence?
--Shak.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
scourge
n 1: a whip used to inflict punishment (often used for pedantic
humor) [syn: scourge, flagellum]
2: something causing misery or death; "the bane of my life"
[syn: bane, curse, scourge, nemesis]
3: a person who inspires fear or dread; "he was the terror of
the neighborhood" [syn: terror, scourge, threat]
v 1: punish severely; excoriate
2: whip; "The religious fanatics flagellated themselves" [syn:
flagellate, scourge]
3: cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly; "The enemy lay
waste to the countryside after the invasion" [syn: lay waste
to, waste, devastate, desolate, ravage, scourge]