cruelty

[ kroo-uhl-tee ]
/ ˈkru əl ti /

noun, plural cru·el·ties for 3.

the state or quality of being cruel.
cruel disposition or conduct.
a cruel act.
Law. conduct by a spouse that causes grievous bodily harm or mental suffering.

Origin of cruelty

1175–1225; Middle English cruelte < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin crūdēlitāt- (stem of crūdēlitās). See cruel, -ity

OTHER WORDS FROM cruelty

an·ti·cru·el·ty, adjective self-cru·el·ty, noun, plural self·-cru·el·ties.

Example sentences from the Web for cruelty

British Dictionary definitions for cruelty

cruelty
/ (ˈkruːəltɪ) /

noun plural -ties

deliberate infliction of pain or suffering
the quality or characteristic of being cruel
a cruel action
law conduct that causes danger to life or limb or a threat to bodily or mental health, on proof of which a decree of divorce may be granted