Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SCOURGE, v.t. [skurj; It. scoreggiare.]

1. To whip severely; to lash. Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman? – Acts xxii.
2. To punish with severity; to chastise; to afflict for sins or faults, and with the purpose of correction. He will scourge us for our iniquities, and will have mercy, again. – Tobit. Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. – Heb xii.
3. To afflict greatly; to harass, torment or injure.