scourge (
http://definr.com/scourge)
n 1: a whip used to inflict punishment (often used for pedantic
humor) [syn:
flagellum]
2: something causes misery or death; "the bane of my life"
[syn:
bane,
curse,
nemesis]
3: a person who inspires fear or dread; "he was the terror of
the neighborhood" [syn:
terror,
threat]
v 1: punish severely
2: whip; "The religious fanatics flagellated themselves" [syn:
flagellate]