[{"Bold_text": "noun", "List Items": ["a whip or lash, especially for the infliction of punishment or torture.", "a person or thing that applies or administers punishment or severe criticism.", "a cause of affliction or calamity:Disease and famine are scourges of humanity.Synonyms: bane , plague"]}, {"Bold_text": "verb (used with object)", "List Items": ["to whip with a scourge; lash.", "to punish, chastise, or criticize severely.Synonyms: castigate , correct"]}]