SCOURGE

scourge, flagellum

(noun) a whip used to inflict punishment (often used for pedantic humor)

terror, scourge, threat

(noun) a person who inspires fear or dread; “he was the terror of the neighborhood”

bane, curse, scourge, nemesis

(noun) something causing misery or death; “the bane of my life”

flagellate, scourge

(verb) whip; “The religious fanatics flagellated themselves”

scourge

(verb) punish severely; excoriate

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

scourge (plural scourges)

A source of persistent trouble such as pestilence that causes pain and suffering or widespread destruction.

A means to inflict such pain or destruction.

A whip, often of leather.

Verb

scourge (third-person singular simple present scourges, present participle scourging, simple past and past participle scourged)

To strike with a scourge; to flog.

Synonyms

• (to whip or scourge): whip

Anagrams

• scrouge

Source: Wiktionary

Scourge, n. Etym: [F. escourgée, fr. L. excoriata (sc. scutica) a stripped off (lash or whip), fr. excoriate 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. Up to coach then goes The observed maid, takes both the scourge and reins. Chapman.

2. Hence, a means of inflicting punishment, vengeance, or suffering; an infliction of affliction; a punishment. Sharp scourges of adversity. Chaucer. What scourge for perjury Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence Shak.

Scourge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scourged; p. pr. & vb. n. Scourging.] Etym: [From Scourge, n.: cf. OF. escorgier.]

1. To whip severely; to lash. is it lawful for you to scourge a . . . Roman Acts xxii. 25.

2. To punish with severity; to chastise; to afflict, as for sins or faults, and with the purpose of correction. Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Heb. xii. 6.

3. To harass or afflict severely. To scourge and impoverish the people. Brougham.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition