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cruauté

cruelty

noun krü-o-TEH Rare

Origin: Latin crudelitas

Usage Note

Cruauté describes the quality of being cruel or a cruel act (une cruauté sans nom — 'unspeakable cruelty'). The adjective cruel/cruelle is its counterpart. In the plural, des cruautés refers to specific acts of cruelty, often in historical or judicial contexts.

Examples

"Sa cruauté envers les animaux est choquante."

Natural Translation

His cruelty toward animals is shocking.

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