scruple

1 a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains

2 uneasiness about the fitness of an action [syn: qualm, misgiving]

3 an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action

1 hesitate on moral grounds; "The man scrupled to perjure himself"

2 raise scruples; "He lied and did not even scruple about it"

3 have doubts about

English

Etymology

scrupulus a small sharp or pointed stone, the twenty-fourth part of an ounce, a scruple, uneasiness, doubt, diminutive of scrupus a rough or sharp stone, anxiety, uneasiness; perhaps akin to the chippings of stone, a razor, kshura: confer scrupule.

Noun

scruple (plural: scruples)

1. A weight of twenty grains; the third part of a dram.
2. Hence, a very small quantity; a particle.

   I will not bate thee a scruple. Shak.

3. Hesitation as to action from the difficulty of determining what is right or expedient; unwillingness, doubt, or hesitation proceeding from motives of conscience; to consider if something is ethical.

   He was made miserable by the conflict between his tastes and his scruples. -Macaulay.

Verb

1. To be reluctant or to hesitate, as regards an action, on account of considerations of conscience or expedience.

   We are often over-precise, scrupling to say or do those things which lawfully we may. -Fuller.

   Men scruple at the lawfulness of a set form of divine worship. -South.

2. To regard with suspicion; to hesitate at; to question.

   Others long before them ... scrupled more the books of hereties than of gentiles. -Milton.

3. To excite scruples in; to cause to scruple.

   Letters which did still scruple many of them. -E. Symmons.

The word scruples or scruple can mean:

• Misgivings
• A unit of apothecary weight. It is equivalent to a twenty-fourth part of an ounce, 1.3 grams, or 20 grains
• Scruples (novel), a novel by Judith Krantz
• Scruples (mini-series), 1980 mini-series starring Lindsay Wagner based on the novel
• Scruples (game), a board game by Henry Makow

See also

• Scrupulosity, obsessive concern with one's own sins

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