Meaning & Definition
noun
A whip used as an instrument of punishment.
The prisoner was punished with a scourge for his misdeeds.
A person or thing that causes great trouble or suffering.
The drought was a scourge for the farmers in the region.
A source of widespread suffering or devastation.
War is often described as a scourge that devastates nations.
verb
To whip (someone) as a punishment.
The captain scourged the mutinous crew as a stern warning.
To cause great suffering to; to afflict.
The disease scourged the population, leaving few uninfected.
Etymology
Middle English 'scourge', from Old French 'escurge' (noun), from Latin 'excoricare' (to whip out), from 'ex-' (out) + 'coricare' (to whip).
Common Phrases and Expressions
scourge of society:
A person or thing that has a harmful effect on a community or group.
to scourge oneself:
To punish oneself severely, often in a self-destructive manner.
Slang Meanings
A person or situation that causes serious trouble.
That ex-boyfriend is such a scourge, he always shows up at the worst times.
Used to describe something that is overwhelming or difficult to deal with.
This assignment is a scourge, it’s taking forever to finish.