cruelty
UK[ˈkruːəlti]US[ˈkruːəlti]
n
behaviour that causes physical or mental pain to others and makes them suffer
n
an action or remark that is unkind and causes emotional pain
Morpheme Breakdown
cruel
ty
cruel
ty
Etymology
the word 'cruelty' entered english in the 13th century from old french 'crualte', which itself evolved from latin 'crudelitatem', the state of being 'crudelis'. the latin root 'crudelis' is thought to be related to 'crudus', meaning raw or bloody, suggesting a primitive link to physical brutality. the suffix '-ty', denoting a state or quality, was attached to form an abstract noun. thus, the term's journey reflects a concretization from a raw, bloody condition to the abstract modern concept of a disposition or behavior that inflicts severe pain or suffering.
Analysis
Structure: cruel + ty
cruel (from old french, ultimately from latin 'crudelis', meaning unfeeling, harsh) + ty (from old french -te, latin -tas, a suffix forming nouns denoting a state or condition)
Examples
the cruelty inflicted upon the animals sparked public outrage.
she was shocked by the casual cruelty of his remarks.
laws exist to protect children from neglect and cruelty.