Main Entry:

¹scourge

Pronunciation:

\ˈskərj also ˈskōrj, ˈskȯrj, ˈsku̇rj\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French escorge, from escorger to whip, from Vulgar Latin *excorrigiare, from Latin ex- + corrigia thong, whip

Date:

13th century

1: whip ; especially : one used to inflict pain or punishment2: an instrument of punishment or criticism3: a cause of wide or great affliction