adv. [f. as prec. + -LY2.] In a cruel manner, with cruelty.
1. With indifference to or delight in another’s suffering.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter ix. 31. Cruelly he lokes in þaim.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 98. Þei pursuen more and cruelliere.
c. 1450. Mirour Saluacioun, 3957. Absolon toke on boldnesse to slee his brothere cruwelly.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 197. Robbed and brent the Countrie most cruelly.
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., xxii. 77. They were cruelly detained in prison.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., 106. These two gentlemen … were cruelly and publickly dragged to the block, and beheaded.
1845. M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 28–9. He … was cruelly beaten by the soldiers.
† 2. Fiercely, savagely. Obs.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XVII. 144. The yngliss men faucht cruelly.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, IV. 449. Wallace and his went cruelly thaim agayne.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, lxvii. 230. They all fought cruelly.
1598. W. Phillips, trans. Linschoten, in Arb., Garner, III. 16. These two fleets meeting together, fought most cruelly.
† 3. Severely, rigorously, sharply. Obs.
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, IV. xix. (1869), 185. We sende þee … þat … þou hurtle alle þilke so cruelliche [tres-durement] þat hauen here hoodes wrong turned.
1535. Coverdale, Ezek. xxiv. 17. A greate vengeaunce will I take vpon them, and punysh them cruelly.
1577. B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., I. (1586), 15. The Bayliffe must beware that he deale not to cruelly, nor to gently with them.
4. Painfully, sorely; excessively.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., Prol. 340. Thou shalt repenten this So cruelly, that it shal wele be sene.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., V. ii. 216. But good Kate, mocke me mercifully, the rather … because I loue thee cruelly.
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., ii. 4. Their ship being shot through and through and through in many places, and cruelly battered all over.
1780. Mad. D’Arblay, Diary, May. Mrs. Montagu we miss cruelly. Ibid. (1782), Lett., Feb. We had waited cruelly for the coach.
1885. Manch. Exam., 6 April, 5/2. The weather this Eastertide is bright, but cruelly dry and cold.
