scourge
scourge Lexical Profile
scourge Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person or thing that causes great trouble, widespread suffering, or devastation.
"Public health officials have worked for decades to eradicate the scourge of malaria in tropical regions."
A whip or lash historically used to inflict severe physical punishment or penance.
"The medieval museum displayed an iron-tipped scourge once used by ascetic monks."
• verb
To cause great suffering, devastation, or hardship to a population or region.
"Severe drought has scourged the agricultural heartland for three consecutive summers."
To whip or beat severely with a lash as a punishment.
"In ancient times, prisoners were often scourged in the public square before being exiled."
• Rhymes for scourge
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Anglo-Norman escorge ('whip'), ultimately derived from Vulgar Latin excoriare ('to strip off the hide, whip') from Latin ex- ('off') and corium ('hide, leather').