barbarous

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

adjective (of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
adjective primitive in customs and culture

Late Middle English, from Latin barbarus (“foreigner, savage”), from Ancient Greek βάρβαρος (bárbaros, “foreign, strange”).

The barbarous, cruel----hath destroyed us all. — History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, Henry Fielding
Who had done this barbarous deed? — The case-book of Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle
A barbarous groome grudge at his masters bountie! — Bussy D'Ambois and The Revenge of Bussy D'Ambois, George Chapman

brutal, cruel, fell, roughshod, savage, vicious

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