Cruel
Cruel
Cruel (/kruːəl/), from the Old French cruel, itself from Latin crudelis, is an adjective used to describe actions or behaviors that cause harm or suffering to others. It is often used in medical and psychological contexts to describe the severity of certain conditions or the harshness of certain treatments.
Etymology
The term cruel originates from the Old French cruel, which is derived from Latin crudelis meaning "ruthless" or "hard-hearted". The Latin term is related to crudus which means "raw" or "bloody".
Related Terms
- Pain: A sensation of discomfort or distress, often associated with cruel conditions or treatments.
- Suffering: The state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship, often a result of cruel actions.
- Abuse: The improper usage or treatment of an entity, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can be described as cruel when it results in significant harm or suffering.
- Torture: The act of inflicting severe pain as a form of punishment or to force someone to do or say something. Torture is inherently cruel due to its intent to cause extreme suffering.
- Inhumane: Lacking humanity, kindness, compassion, or understanding; cruel and heartless.
Medical Usage
In a medical context, cruel is often used to describe the severity of a disease, condition, or treatment. For example, a disease might be described as cruel if it causes significant suffering and has a poor prognosis. Similarly, a treatment might be described as cruel if it causes significant discomfort or has severe side effects.
Psychological Usage
In psychology, cruel is often used to describe behaviors that cause harm or suffering to others. This can include physical violence, emotional abuse, or neglect. Cruelty is considered a significant issue in psychology due to its impact on mental health and well-being.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cruel
- Wikipedia's article - Cruel
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