First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
cruelty
noun cru·el·ty \ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē\
: a desire to cause others to suffer : the quality or state of being cruel
: actions that cause suffering
: an act or occurrence that causes suffering
plural cru·el·ties
Full Definition of CRUELTY
1
: the quality or state of being cruel
2
a : a cruel action b : inhuman treatment
3
: marital conduct held (as in a divorce action) to endanger life or health or to cause mental suffering or fear
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Origin of CRUELTY
Middle English cruelte, from Anglo-French cruelté, from Latin crudelitat-, crudelitas, from crudelis
Related to CRUELTY
CRUELTY Defined for Kids
cruelty
noun cru·el·ty \ˈkrü-əl-tē\
plural cru·el·ties
Definition of CRUELTY for Kids
1
: the quality or state of causing or wanting to cause suffering <a man of cruelty>
2
: treatment that causes suffering
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