scourge

/skə:dʤ/
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scourge

The scourge of the plague devastated the medieval town.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A person who inspires fear or dread: A "scourge" can refer to a person who is a source of great terror or suffering.
    • Something causing misery or death: It also refers to a cause of great and persistent trouble or suffering, often seen as a punishment.
    • A whip used to inflict punishment: Historically, a "scourge" is a multi-thonged whip used for flogging, often mentioned in historical or religious contexts.

  2. Verb:

    • To cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly: To "scourge" means to devastate or lay waste to something completely.
    • To whip: To beat or flog someone with a whip, especially as a form of punishment.
    • To punish severely; to criticize harshly: To subject someone to severe criticism, censure, or suffering.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • The cruel dictator was considered the scourge of the nation. (The dictator was the person causing great suffering.)
    • Malaria remains a scourge in many tropical regions. (Malaria is a persistent cause of misery.)
    • The museum displayed an ancient Roman scourge. (It showed a historical whip for punishment.)

  • Verb:

    • War had scourged the countryside, leaving only ruins. (War had utterly destroyed the countryside.)
    • In some ancient rituals, devotees would scourge themselves. (They would whip themselves.)
    • The editorial scourged the government for its inaction. (It severely criticized the government.)
Advanced Usage

  • "The scourge of [something]": A common phrase identifying a major affliction.

    • He dedicated his life to fighting the scourge of poverty. (He fought against the great problem of poverty.)

  • "To be scourged by [something]": To be severely afflicted or troubled by something.

    • The coastal villages were scourged by the hurricane. (The villages were devastated by the hurricane.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Scourger (noun): One who scourges (whips or punishes).
  • Scourging (noun/gerund): The act of whipping or causing devastation.
Synonyms
  • Noun (for cause of suffering): Bane, plague, curse, affliction, torment.
  • Verb (to whip): Flagellate, flog, lash, beat.
  • Verb (to devastate): Ravage, devastate, lay waste, ruin.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Scourge" is not commonly used in standard phrasal verb constructions. Its verbal uses are typically transitive.)

Related Idioms
  • "A scourge upon [someone/something]": A literary way to say something is a terrible affliction to someone or something.
    • The invasive species became a scourge upon the local ecosystem. (It became a devastating problem for the ecosystem.)
scourge

The scourge of the plague devastated the medieval town.

Noun
  1. a person who inspires fear or dread
    • he was the terror of the neighborhood
  2. something causing misery or death
    • the bane of my life
  3. a whip used to inflict punishment (often used for pedantic humor)
Verb
  1. cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly
    • The enemy lay waste to the countryside after the invasion
  2. whip
    • The religious fanatics flagellated themselves
  3. punish severely; excoriate

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