scruple

[ skroo-puhl ]

noun

1. a moral or ethical consideration or standard that acts as a restraining force or inhibits certain actions.

   Synonyms: restraint, compunction, qualm

2. a very small portion or amount.
3. a unit of weight equal to 20 grains (1.295 grams) or 1/3 of a dram, apothecaries' weight.
4. an ancient Roman unit of weight equivalent to 1/24 of an ounce or 1/288 of an as or pound. Compare as ²( def 2 ).

verb (used without object)

, scru·pled, scru·pling.

1. to have scruples.

verb (used with object)

, scru·pled, scru·pling.

1. to have scruples about; hesitate at.

   Synonyms: waver

scruple

/ ˈskruːpəl /

noun

1. often plural a doubt or hesitation as to what is morally right in a certain situation
2. archaic.
   a very small amount
3. a unit of weight equal to 20 grains (1.296 grams)
4. an ancient Roman unit of weight equivalent to approximately one twenty-fourth of an ounce

verb

1. obsolete when tr to have doubts (about), esp for a moral reason

Derived Forms

• ˈscrupleless, adjective

Other Words From

• scruple·less adjective
• over·scruple verb overscrupled overscrupling
• un·scrupled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scruple¹

1350–1400; (< French scrupule ) < Latin scrūpulus unit of weight, worry, precaution equivalent to scrūp ( us ) rough pebble + -ulus -ule; replacing earlier scriple, Middle English < Latin scrīpulum (variant scriptulum ) small weight, pebble, alteration of scrūpulus by association with scrīptum writing ( script; for sense relation gram ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of scruple¹

C16: from Latin scrūpulus a small weight, from scrūpus rough stone

Example Sentences

It wasn't any scruple of mercy, for Hicks was as cold-blooded a brute as ever glanced down a gun-barrel.

From Project Gutenberg

Here, you,” he growled, “was aught said to thee whereby thou hast a scruple to tell me how many guns defend the Cashmere Gate?

From Project Gutenberg

If he sometimes come across a precept which is perfectly clear and irrefutable, Donald does not scruple to ignore it.

From Project Gutenberg

Little Larkins had told all, and his father had no scruple in repeating it, and causing the investigation to be set on foot.

From Project Gutenberg

He appropriated it without scruple, and was soon joined by a troop of travelers bound for Marhala.

From Project Gutenberg