scourge

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scourge / skərj/ • n. 1. hist. a whip used as an instrument of punishment.2. a person or thing that causes great trouble or suffering: the scourge of mass unemployment.• v. [tr.] 1. hist. whip (someone) as a punishment.2. cause great suffering to: political methods used to scourge and oppress workers.DERIVATIVES: scourg·er n. ( hist. ).

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