Barbarity, n.; pl. Barbarities.
Etymology: [From Barbarous.]
The state or manner of a barbarian; lack of civilization.
2. Cruelty; ferociousness; inhumanity. Treating Christians with a barbarity which would have shocked the very Moslem. Macaulay.
3. A barbarous or cruel act.
4. Barbarism; impurity of speech. [Obs.] Swift.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists barbarity only as an antonym, under benevolence, pity.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given