scruple
[ skroo-puhl ]
/ ˈskru pəl /
noun
a moral or ethical consideration or standard that acts as a restraining force or inhibits certain actions.
a very small portion or amount.
a unit of weight equal to 20 grains (1.295 grams) or 1/3 of a dram, apothecaries' weight.
an ancient Roman unit of weight equivalent to 1/24 of an ounce or 1/288 of an as or pound.
Compare as2(def 2).
verb (used without object), scru·pled, scru·pling.
to have scruples.
verb (used with object), scru·pled, scru·pling.
to have scruples about; hesitate at.
Origin of scruple
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 (see
script; for sense relation cf.
gram1)
SYNONYMS FOR scruple
6
waver.
OTHER WORDS FROM scruple
scru·ple·less, adjective o·ver·scru·ple, verb, o·ver·scru·pled, o·ver·scru·pling. un·scru·pled, adjectiveWords nearby scruple
scrumpy,
scrunch,
scruncheon,
scrunchie,
scrunchy,
scruple,
scrupulous,
scrutable,
scrutator,
scrutineer,
scrutinize
Example sentences from the Web for scruples
British Dictionary definitions for scruples
scruple
/ (ˈskruːpəl) /
noun
(often plural)
a doubt or hesitation as to what is morally right in a certain situation
archaic
a very small amount
a unit of weight equal to 20 grains (1.296 grams)
an ancient Roman unit of weight equivalent to approximately one twenty-fourth of an ounce
verb
(obsolete when tr)
to have doubts (about), esp for a moral reason
Derived forms of scruple
scrupleless, adjectiveWord Origin for scruple
C16: from Latin
scrūpulus a small weight, from
scrūpus rough stone
Medical definitions for scruples
scruple
[ skrōō′pəl ]
n.
An uneasy feeling arising from conscience or principle that tends to hinder action.
A unit of apothecary weight that is equal to about 1.3 grams, or 20 grains.
A minute part or amount.