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Definitions for: Scruple
[n] an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action
[n] uneasiness about the fitness of an action
[n] a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains
[v] have doubts about
[v] hesitate on moral grounds; "The man scrupled to perjure himself"
[v] raise scruples; "He lied and did not even scruple about it"
Webster (1913) Definition: Scru"ple, n. [L. scrupulus a small sharp or pointed
stone, the twenty-fourth part of an ounce, a scruple,
uneasiness, doubt, dim. of scrupus a rough or sharp stone,
anxiety, uneasiness; perh. akin to Gr. ? the chippings of
stone, ? a razor, Skr. kshura: cf. F. scrupule.]
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.
He was made miserable by the conflict between his
tastes and his scruples. --Macaulay.
To make scruple, to hesitate from conscientious motives; to
scruple. --Locke.
Scru"ple, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scrupled; p. pr. & vb.
n. Skrupling.]
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.
Scru"ple, v. t.
1. To regard with suspicion; to hesitate at; to question.
Others long before them . . . scrupled more the
books of hereties than of gentiles. --Milton.
2. To excite scruples in; to cause to scruple. [R.]
Letters which did still scruple many of them. --E.
Symmons.
Synonyms: misgiving, qualm
See Also: anxiety, apothecaries' unit, apothecaries' weight, drachm, drachma, dram, fret, fuss, grain, hesitate, niggle, pause, principle, question, wonder
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