cruelty
/ˈkrʊəltɪ/noun
(pl. -ies)［mass noun］
1- callous indifference to or pleasure in causing pain and suffering残忍; 残酷; 残暴：
he has treated her with extreme cruelty.
他极其残忍地对待她。
1.1
- behaviour which causes pain or suffering to a person or animal残酷（或残忍、残暴）行为：
we can't stand cruelty to animals
我们无法忍受对动物的残暴行为
count noun the cruelties of forced assimilation and genocide强制性同化和种族灭绝的残酷行径。
1.2
- Law behaviour which causes physical or mental harm to another, especially a spouse, whether intentionally or not【律】（尤指对配偶的）虐待（行为）。
词源
Middle English: from Old French crualte, based on Latin crudelitas, from crudelis （see CRUEL）.