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cruel a, intens EDD ~ adj 1, adv 2 esp Ir and s w cties; JOYCE 89. See
also SOME, WONDERFUL.
1 Of inanimate objects, terrible,
dreadful.
1836 [WIX]2 53 My eyes ... are further tried
within the houses by the quantity of smoke, or 'cruel steam,' as the people emphatically
and correctly designate it, with which every tilt is filled. 1887 Colonist Christmas
No 8 I did not grudge Pugsley the drink, after his yarn; but it was a cruel waste of
good liquor to give it to those common fishermen. P 148-63 You're a cruel sight. T 222-66
A Girl Guide Commissioner visited a village where I was working at the time. She had a
great many medals and so on, and it was said of her that she had 'a cruel mess of gear on
her.' P 245-67 Cruel weather [means] stormy or unpleasant weather. 1976 Evening
Telegram 3 Aug, p. 6 I think this would be a real service to the people [of Harbour
Grace] if the minister would do something about this cruel odor [from the fish-meal
plant].
2 Very, extremely.
1924
ENGLAND 132 "Johnny Burke": Till crool sad misfartune, which caused 'im to sleep / On a
cold bed o' sand where de water run deep! Ibid 257 An' I know one cap'n, too, as runs a
store; an' one year when de men was paid off de swiler, he took a canvas bag an' stood on
de w'arf, an' as de men come off, he collected ahl as was owed him. Yes, he had de right
to, but a lot of 'em went home bare. An' dat was crool hard, me son. 1937 DEVINE 50
[Master,] that's a cruel stun boy. 1968 DILLON 135 Boy, 'tis a cruel stormy day, isn't
it? C 71-93 It's a cruel wonderful day.
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