Crū'el-ty, n.

n. [O. Fr. cruelté, now cruauté, Fr. crueltat, crueldad, Sp. crueldad, Pg. crueldade, It. crudeltà, Lat. crudelitas, from crudelis. See CRUEL.] 1. The attribute or character of being cruel; a disposition to give unnecessary pain or distress to others; inhumanity; barbarity. Pierced through the heart with your stern cruelty. Shak. 2. An act which causes extreme suffering without good reason; a cruel and barbarous deed; inhuman treatment. “Cruelties worthy of the dungeons of the Inquisition.” Macaulay.