Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

scourge

 - 3 dictionary results

scourge

  [skurj] noun, verb, scourged, scourg⋅ing.
Use scourge in a Sentence
–noun
1. a whip or lash, esp. for the infliction of punishment or torture.
2. a person or thing that applies or administers punishment or severe criticism.
3. a cause of affliction or calamity: Disease and famine are scourges of humanity.
–verb (used with object)
4. to whip with a scourge; lash.
5. to punish, chastise, or criticize severely.
Origin:
1175–1225; (n.) ME < AF escorge, deriv. of escorgier to whip < VL *excorrigiāre, deriv. of L corrigia thong, whip (see ex- 1 ); (v.) ME < OF escorgier

Related forms:
scourger, noun
scourg⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
3. plague, bane. 5. correct, castigate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To scourge
scourge   (skûrj)   
n.  

  1. A source of widespread dreadful affliction and devastation such as that caused by pestilence or war.

  2. A means of inflicting severe suffering, vengeance, or punishment.

  3. A whip used to inflict punishment.

tr.v.   scourged, scourg·ing, scourg·es

  1. To afflict with severe or widespread suffering and devastation; ravage.

  2. To chastise severely; excoriate.

  3. To flog.


[Middle English, from Anglo-Norman escorge, from Old French escorgier, to whip, from Vulgar Latin *excorrigiāre : Latin ex-, intensive pref.; see ex- + Latin corrigia, thong (probably of Celtic origin).]
scourg'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

scourge  (n.)
c.1225, from Anglo-Fr. escorge, back-formation from O.Fr. escorgier "to whip," from V.L. *excorrigiare, from L. ex- "out, off" + corrigia "thong, shoelace," in this case "whip," probably from a Gaulish word related to O.Ir. cuimrech "fetter." The verb is attested from c.1225. Scourge of God, title given by later generations to Attila the Hun, is attested from 1387, from L. flagellum Dei.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see scourge on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way