scourge

Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle English, from Anglo-French escorge, from escorger to whip, from Vulgar Latin *excorrigiare, from Latin ex- + corrigia thong, whip
Date:
13th century
1: whip ; especially : one used to inflict pain or punishment
2: an instrument of punishment or criticism
3: a cause of wide or great affliction


vo·li·tion
Pronunciation:
\vō-ˈli-shən, və-\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
French, from Medieval Latin volition-, volitio, from Latin vol- (stem of velle to will, wish) + -ition-, -itio (as in Latin position-, positio position) — more at will
Date:
1615
1: an act of making a choice or decision ; also : a choice or decision made
2: the power of choosing or determining : will
— vo·li·tion·al \-ˈlish-nəl, -ˈli-shə-nəl\ adjective