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scruple
(redirected from scrupling)

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Hutchinson 0.07 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
Spanish scruple [ˈskruːpl] nescrúpulo;
to have no scruples about doing sth → no tener reparos en or escrúpulos para hacer algo

French scruple [ˈskruːpl] nscrupule m;
to have no scruples about doing sth → n'avoir aucun scrupule à faire qch

German scruple [ˈskruːpl] n (gen pl) → Skrupel m, Bedenken nt;
to have no scruples about doing sth → keine Skrupel or Bedenken haben, etw zu tun

Italian scruple [ˈskruːpl] nscrupolo;
to have no scruples about doing sth → non avere scrupoli a fare qc

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