n.; pl. Cruelties [ OF. cruelté, F. cruauté, fr. L. crudelitas, fr. crudelis. See Cruel. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
1. The attribute or quality of being cruel; a disposition to give unnecessary pain or suffering to others; inhumanity; barbarity. [ 1913 Webster ]
Pierced through the heart with your stern cruelty. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. A cruel and barbarous deed; inhuman treatment; the act of willfully causing unnecessary pain. [ 1913 Webster ]
Cruelties worthy of the dungeons of the Inquisition. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]