A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1456-1592
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Cruelnes, Crewelnes, n. Also: crewal- [ME. creuel-, cruelnes (c 1300).] a. Fierceness, severity. b. Cruelty.a. 1456 Hay I. 52/32.
Nouthir of the parties had power to stryke a strake for the cruelnes of the tempest c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace i. 204.
Wpon a day to Dunde he was send; Off cruelness full litill thai him kendb. c1515 Asloan MS I. 210/7.
Thairefter rang his son Eduard of Wyndissore furth in his cruelnes 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 4362.
O curst cative, wo to thy cruelnes 1560 Ib. 7959. 1576 Douglas Corr. 217.
Hir chyldes fute rotten fra hym at the junte throw the crewelnes of the irnes layed upon hym 1592 Ib. 36.
As ye luif quyetnes and abhorris cruelnes 1591-2 Rob Stene 14.
I hug with pen for till expres The carnage and the crewalnes
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"Cruelnes n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/cruelnes>
