n.[C]

1. （用作刑具的）鞭子
2. 惩罚的工具；惩罚
3. 天谴；苦难的根源；灾祸
   Smallpox was once the scourge of the world.

   天花曾是世界的大患。

vt.

1. 鞭打，鞭笞
2. 严惩；严斥[（+for）]
   He was scourged for tax evasion.

   他因逃税受到严惩。

3. 使痛苦；折磨[（+with）]
   For fifteen years the country was scourged by war.

   这个国家遭受战争的蹂躏达十五年之久。

n.

1. historical a whip used as an instrument of punishment.
2. a person or thing causing great trouble or suffering.

v.

1. historical whip with a scourge.
2. cause great suffering to.