English dictionary

scapegoat

/'sk/eI/p,g/oU/t/

Definitions, examples, synonyms and antonyms from WordNet 3.0.

noun

someone who is punished for the errors of others

noun.person

Synonyms whipping boy

Source: WordNet 3.0
A goat upon whose head were symbolically placed the sins of the people, after which he was suffered to escape into the wilderness.

noun

Source: webster1913