atrocity Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the quality of being shockingly cruel and inhumane
    barbarousness; heinousness; atrociousness; barbarity.
  2. noun an act of atrocious cruelty
    inhumanity.

WordNet

A*troc"i*ty noun
Etymology
F. atrocité, L. atrocitas, fr. atrox, atrocis, cruel.
Wordforms
plural Atrocities
Definitions
  1. Enormous wickedness; extreme heinousness or cruelty.
  2. An atrocious or extremely cruel deed.
    The atrocities which attend a victory. Macaulay.

Webster 1913