scru·ple (skr p l)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 scr pulus, small unit of measurement, scruple, diminutive of scr pus, 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 | Noun | 1. | scruple - a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grainsgrain - 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 actionanxiety - a vague unpleasant emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some (usually ill-defined) misfortune | | 3. | scruple - an ethical or moral principle that inhibits actionprinciple - a rule or standard especially of good behavior; "a man of principle"; "he will not violate his principles" | | Verb | 1. | 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 aboutwonder, 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 noun misgiving, hesitation, qualm, doubt, difficulty, caution, reluctance, second thoughts, uneasiness, perplexity, compunction, squeamishness, twinge of conscience
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