sb. pl. Sc. Also cruels. [f. F. écrouelles scrofula.] The king’s evil, scrofula.

1

1660.  J. Lamont, Diary (1815), 154 (Jam.). The Lady Balcleuch … had the cruells in hir arme.

2

1721.  Wodrow, Hist., II. 445 (Jam.). His right hand and right knee broke out in a running sore, called the cruels.

3

1818.  Scott, Hrt. Midl., xlvii. Having a beloved child sick to death of the Crewels. Ibid. (1824), St. Ronan, ii. ‘A puir body’s bairn that had gotten the cruells.’

4

1880.  Antrim & Down Gloss., Cruels, the king’s evil.

5