cruelty Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering
    inhuman treatment.
  2. noun feelings of extreme heartlessness
    pitilessness; mercilessness; ruthlessness.
  3. noun the quality of being cruel and causing tension or annoyance
    harshness; cruelness.

WordNet

Cru"el*ty noun
Etymology
OF. cruelt, F. cruaut, fr. L. crudelitas, fr. crudelis. See Cruel.
Wordforms
plural Cruelties
Definitions
  1. The attribute or quality of being cruel; a disposition to give unnecessary pain or suffering to others; inhumanity; barbarity.
    Pierced through the heart with your stern cruelty. Shak.
  2. A cruel and barbarous deed; inhuman treatment; the act of willfully causing unnecessary pain.
    Cruelties worthy of the dungeons of the Inquisition. Macualay.

Webster 1913