Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun An obsolete form of crewel.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Obsolete spelling of cruel.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Roger Williams noted that wars among Indians were “farre lesse bloudy and devouring than the cruell Warres of Europe.”

    Between War and Peace Col. Matthew Moten 2011

  • Roger Williams noted that wars among Indians were “farre lesse bloudy and devouring than the cruell Warres of Europe.”

    Between War and Peace Col. Matthew Moten 2011

  • Hee heard at a Considerable distance many blowes or stripes … hee thought hee heard a Negro Cry out many tymes … he supposed it to be James Wills beating his Negro woman, and heard still many Lashes more and Crying out, until hee was greevd and went into his owne house and shut the dore, and said to his wife oh! yond cruell man.175

    A History of American Law Lawrence M. Friedman 1985

  • Hee heard at a Considerable distance many blowes or stripes … hee thought hee heard a Negro Cry out many tymes … he supposed it to be James Wills beating his Negro woman, and heard still many Lashes more and Crying out, until hee was greevd and went into his owne house and shut the dore, and said to his wife oh! yond cruell man.175

    A History of American Law Lawrence M. Friedman 1985

  • Hee heard at a Considerable distance many blowes or stripes … hee thought hee heard a Negro Cry out many tymes … he supposed it to be James Wills beating his Negro woman, and heard still many Lashes more and Crying out, until hee was greevd and went into his owne house and shut the dore, and said to his wife oh! yond cruell man.175

    A History of American Law Lawrence M. Friedman 1985

  • You need make no doubt, but the poore maide wept exceedingly, as she had good occasion to doe: and albeit many times she desired mercy, and that hee would not bee so cruell to her: yet notwithstanding, her voyce was so broken with crying, and his impacience so extreame, that rage hindered all power of distinguishing, or knowing his wives tongue from a strangers.

    The Decameron 2004

  • In the Citie of Pirato, there was an Edict or Statute, no lesse blameworthy (to speake uprightly) then most severe and cruell, which (without making any distinction) gave strict command; That everie Woman should be burned with fire, who husband found her in the acte of Adultery, with any secret or familiar friend, as one deserving to bee thus abandoned, like such as prostituted their bodies to publike sale or hire.

    The Decameron 2004

  • More cruell art thou then any savage Beast; thus to vexe and torment mee in such mercilesse manner.

    The Decameron 2004

  • The Tartars seeing this, went and besieged the city wherein the said olde man was, tooke him, and put him to a most cruell and ignominious death.

    The Journal of Friar Odoric 2004

  • Emperour hearing, set forward against them with his armie, and they fought a cruell battell, wherein the Mongals were ouercome, and all their nobles in the armie, except seuen, were slaine.

    The long and wonderful voyage of Frier Iohn de Plano Carpini 2004

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