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scourge

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scourge

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 punishment
2 : an instrument of punishment or criticism
3 : a cause of wide or great affliction

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