scourge

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: flagellumbanecursenemesisterrorthreatflagellatelay waste towastedevastatedesolateravage

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. a whip used to inflict punishment (often used for pedantic humor)Synonyms: flagellum
  2. something causing misery or death“the bane of my life”Synonyms: banecursenemesis
  3. a person who inspires fear or dread“he was the terror of the neighborhood”Synonyms: terrorthreat

Verb (3)

  1. punish severely; excoriate
  2. whip“The religious fanatics flagellated themselves”Synonyms: flagellate
  3. cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly“The enemy lay waste to the countryside after the invasion”Synonyms: lay waste towastedevastatedesolateravage
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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.[1913 Webster]

2.To punish with severity; to chastise; to afflict, as for sins or faults, and with the purpose of correction. [1913 Webster]

Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.— Heb. xii. 6.[1913 Webster]

3.To harass or afflict severely. [1913 Webster]

To scourge and impoverish the people.— Brougham.[1913 Webster]
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.[1913 Webster]

2.Hence, a means of inflicting punishment, vengeance, or suffering; an infliction of affliction; a punishment. [1913 Webster]

Sharp scourges of adversity.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]
What scourge for perjury Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence?— Shak.[1913 Webster]
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