cruelty

Cru"el*ty (-t), n.; pl. Cruelties (-t. Etym: [OF. cruelt, F. cruaut, fr. L. crudelitas, fr. crudelis. See Cruel.] 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.

---