(~s, scourging, ~d)
1.
A ~ is something that causes a lot of trouble or suffering to a group of people.
...the best chance in 20 years to end the ~ of terrorism...
N-COUNT: oft N of n
2.
If something ~s a place or group of people, it causes great pain and suffering to people.
Economic anarchy ~d the post-war world.
VERB: V n