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scourge

scourge [ skurj ]


noun  (plural scourg·es)
Definition:
 
1. tormentor: somebody or something that is perceived as an agent of punishment, destruction, or severe criticism
the scourge of my childhood

2. whip: a whip that is used for inflicting punishment



transitive verb  (past and past participle scourged, present participle scourg·ing, 3rd person present singular scourg·es)
Definition:
 
1. punish somebody: to punish or criticize somebody severely

2. whip somebody: to whip somebody severely

[12th century. < Old French escorgier "to whip" < Latin corrigia "thong, whip"]

scourg·er noun
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