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scruple

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.18 sec.
scru·ple  (skrpl)
n.
1. An uneasy feeling arising from conscience or principle that tends to hinder action. See Synonyms at qualm.
2. Abbr. sc. or scr. A unit of apothecary weight equal to about 1.3 grams, or 20 grains.
3. A minute part or amount.
intr.v. scru·pled, scru·pling, scru·ples
To hesitate as a result of conscience or principle: "A man who could make so vile a pun would not scruple to pick a pocket" (John Dennis).

[Middle English scrupul, from Old French scrupule, from Latin scrpulus, small unit of measurement, scruple, diminutive of scrpus, rough stone, scruple.]

scruple
Noun
a doubt or hesitation as to what is morally right in a certain situation: he had no scruples about the drug trade
Verb
[-pling, -pled]
to have doubts (about), esp. on moral grounds [Latin scrupulus a small weight]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.scruple - a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains
apothecaries' unit, apothecaries' weight - any weight unit used in pharmacy; an ounce is equal to 480 grains and a pound is equal to 12 ounces
grain - 1/60 dram; equals an avoirdupois grain or 64.799 milligrams
drachm, drachma, dram - a unit of apothecary weight equal to an eighth of an ounce or to 60 grains
2.scruple - uneasiness about the fitness of an action
anxiety - a vague unpleasant emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some (usually ill-defined) misfortune
3.scruple - an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action
principle - a rule or standard especially of good behavior; "a man of principle"; "he will not violate his principles"
Verb1.scruple - hesitate on moral grounds; "The man scrupled to perjure himself"
pause, hesitate - interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing; "The speaker paused"
2.scruple - raise scruples; "He lied and did not even scruple about it"
fret, fuss, niggle - worry unnecessarily or excessively; "don't fuss too much over the grandchildren--they are quite big now"
3.scruple - have doubts about
wonder, question - place in doubt or express doubtful speculation; "I wonder whether this was the right thing to do"; "she wondered whether it would snow tonight"

scruple
Translations
scruple [ˈskruːpl] nescrúpulo;
to have no scruples about doing sth → no tener reparos en or escrúpulos para hacer algo
scruple [ˈskruːpl] nscrupule m;
to have no scruples about doing sth → n'avoir aucun scrupule à faire qch
scruple [ˈskruːpl] n (gen pl) → Skrupel m, Bedenken nt;
to have no scruples about doing sth → keine Skrupel or Bedenken haben, etw zu tun
scruple [ˈskruːpl] nscrupolo;
to have no scruples about doing sth → non avere scrupoli a fare qc


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
" The Fowler replied, "I shall now with less scruple take your life, because you are willing to save it at the cost of betraying your friends and relations.
For your sake, and for Norah's, I am going to let you know what the scruple really is which has misled her into the pride and folly of refusing you.
Do not scruple to come and see me, Makar Alexievitch.
 
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