Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CRU'EL, a. [Fr. cruel; L. crudelis; It. crudele. See Crude and Rude.]

1. Disposed to give pain to others, in body or mind; willing or pleased to torment, vex or afflict; inhuman; destitute of pity, compassion or kindness; fierce; ferocious; savage; barbarous; hard-hearted; applied to persons or their dispositions. They are cruel, and have no mercy. – Jer. vi.
2. Inhuman; barbarous; savage; causing pain, grief or distress, exerted in tormenting, vexing or afflicting. Cursed be their wrath, for it was cruel. – Gen. xlix. The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. – Prov. xii. Others had trials of cruel mockings. – Heb. xi.