Nearby Words
noun
1.
a whip or lash, especially 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.
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Scourge
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is subtilize. Does it mean:
| to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle. |
| to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about. |
Origin:
1175–1225; (noun) Middle English < Anglo-French escorge, derivative of escorgier to whip < Vulgar Latin *excorrigiāre, derivative of Latin corrigia thong, whip (see ex-1); (v.) Middle English < Old French escorgier
1175–1225; (noun) Middle English < Anglo-French escorge, derivative of escorgier to whip < Vulgar Latin *excorrigiāre, derivative of Latin corrigia thong, whip (see ex-1); (v.) Middle English < Old French escorgier
Related forms
scourg·er, noun
scourg·ing·ly, adverb
self-scourg·ing, adjective
un·scourged, adjective
un·scourg·ing, adjective
Synonyms
3. plague, bane. 5. correct, castigate.
3. plague, bane. 5. correct, castigate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To scourge
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
scourge
early 13c., 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 early 13c. Scourge of God, title
EXPANDgiven by later generations to Attila the Hun (406453 C.E.), is attested from late 14c., from L. flagellum Dei.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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