First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1scourge
noun \ˈskərj also ˈskōrj, ˈskȯrj, ˈsku̇rj\
: someone or something that causes a great amount of trouble or suffering
: a whip that was used to punish people in the past
Full Definition of SCOURGE
1
: whip; especially : one used to inflict pain or punishment
2
: an instrument of punishment or criticism
3
: a cause of wide or great affliction
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Origin of SCOURGE
Middle English, from Anglo-French escorge, from escorger to whip, from Vulgar Latin *excorrigiare, from Latin ex- + corrigia thong, whip
Related to SCOURGE
2scourge
transitive verb
: to cause a lot of trouble or suffering for (someone or something)
: to hit (someone) with a whip as punishment
scourgedscourg·ing
Full Definition of SCOURGE
2
— scourg·er noun
First Known Use of SCOURGE
14th century
SCOURGE Defined for Kids
1scourge
noun \ˈskərj\
Definition of SCOURGE for Kids
1
: a cause of widespread or great suffering <The disease is a scourge in rural areas.>
2
: 2whip 1
2scourge
verb
scourgedscourg·ing
Definition of SCOURGE for Kids
1
: to cause trouble or suffering to : afflict <Crime scourges the neighborhood.>
2
: to whip severely : flog
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