Question

Read this sentence from Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address:

Fondly do we hope - fervently do we pray - that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away.
What does the word scourge mean as used in this sentence?
Affliction
Instrument
Lash
Whip

Answer 1

The answer is A) Affliction, affliction is something that causes pain.

Answer 2

In the sentence from Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, the word scourge means:

a. Affliction

This word means pain and suffering. He hopes and prays that the pain and suffering caused by war will be eradicated immediately so as to heal the wounds of the people of his country and all the others who have suffered.