Cru"el*ty (-t&ybreve;), n.; pl. Cruelties (-t&ibreve;z). [OF. cruelté, F. cruauté, 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.

Macaulay.

• an indifference to suffering or positive pleasure in inflicting suffering.