scourge
|scourge|
C1
🇺🇸
/skɜrdʒ/
🇬🇧
/skɜːdʒ/
cause of suffering
Etymology
Etymology Information
'scourge' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'escorgier,' where 'es-' meant 'out' and 'corgier' meant 'to whip.'
Historical Evolution
'escorgier' transformed into the Middle English word 'scourge,' and eventually became the modern English word 'scourge.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to whip or lash,' but over time it evolved to also mean 'a cause of great suffering.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a whip used as an instrument of punishment.
The tyrant used a scourge to instill fear among his subjects.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a person or thing that causes great trouble or suffering.
The plague was a scourge that devastated the population.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35