| 释义 |
† cruelness Obs.
[f. as prec. + -ness.]
1. The quality of being cruel; cruelty.
a1300Cursor M. 28739 (Cott.) Resun to yield well better is o merci þan of cruelnes [v.r. crowelnes]. 1426Audelay Poems 60 Scorgid with creuelnes. 1541Paynel Catiline vi. 10 Consideryng the great cruelnesse of the dede. 1596Spenser F.Q. vi. i. 41 The reproch of pride and cruelnesse.
2. Fierceness, savageness.
1432–50tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 153 Amazones..the cruellenes of whom Hercules did mitigate firste. 1575Recorde Ground of Arts Pref. to Edw. VI, To conuerte wylde people to a myldenesse, and chaunge their furious cruelnesse into gentle curtesye. 1631Celestina iv. 53 Your dogge, for all his fiercenesse, and cruelnesse of nature [etc.].
3. Severity, rigour.
1537Inst. Chr. Man L v b, A good iudge..although he shewe outwardely cruelnesse and rygour, yet inwardly he ought to loue the personne. a1625Boys Wks. (1630) 415 Wise men inuented the game of Chesse to mitigate the cruelnesse of governours. |