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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Scourge

Scourge, n.

noun

(skûrj), n. [Fr. escourgeée, for escourciée, It. scuriada, scuriata, scuria, from Lat. excoriata (sc. scutica), from ex and corium, leather; equivalent to It. scoreggiata, scoreggia, from Lat. corrigia, a shoe-tie, a rein.]

Sense 1. A lash; a strap or cord, especially one used to inflict pain or punishment; an instrument of punishment or discipline; a whip.

Up to coach then goes The inexorable maid, takes both the scourge and reins. Chapman.

Sense 2. Hence, a punishment; a vindictive infliction; a means of inflicting punishment, vengeance, or suffering.

What scourge for perjury? Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence? Shak.

I was myself the scourge that caused the smart. Pope.

Scour'ge, v. t.

verbtransitive

(skûrj), v. t. [imp. & p. p. SCOURGED; p. pr. & vb. n. SCOURGING.] [From the noun; It. scorregiare.] 1. To whip severely; to lash. Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman? Acts xxii. 25. 2. To punish with severity; to chastise; to afflict for sins or faults, and with the purpose of correction; to harass or torment. Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Heb. xii. 6.