scourge : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: scourge	by the DICT Development Group
3 results for scourge
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
scourge n a whip used to inflict punishment (often used for pedantic humor) Synonym(s): scourge, flagellum something causing misery or death; "the bane of my life" Synonym(s): bane, curse, scourge, nemesis a person who inspires fear or dread; "he was the terror of the neighborhood" Synonym(s): terror, scourge, threat v punish severely; excoriate whip; "The religious fanatics flagellated themselves" Synonym(s): flagellate, scourge cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly; "The enemy lay waste to the countryside after the invasion" Synonym(s): lay waste to, waste, devastate, desolate, ravage, scourge
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Scourge \Scourge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scourged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Scourging}.] [From {Scourge}, n.: cf. OF. escorgier.] 1. To whip severely; to lash. Is it lawful for you to scourge a . . . Roman? --Acts xxii. 25. 2. To punish with severity; to chastise; to afflict, as for sins or faults, and with the purpose of correction. Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. --Heb. xii. 6. 3. To harass or afflict severely. To scourge and impoverish the people. --Brougham.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Scourge \Scourge\, n. [F. escourg[82]e, fr. L. excoriata (sc. scutica) a stripped off (lash or whip), fr. excoriare to strip, to skin. See {Excoriate}.] 1. A lash; a strap or cord; especially, a lash used to inflict pain or punishment; an instrument of punishment or discipline; a whip. Up to coach then goes The observed maid, takes both the scourge and reins. --Chapman. 2. Hence, a means of inflicting punishment, vengeance, or suffering; an infliction of affliction; a punishment. Sharp scourges of adversity. --Chaucer. What scourge for perjury Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence? --Shak.