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

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.