scruple Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains
  2. noun uneasiness about the fitness of an action
    misgiving; qualm.
  3. noun an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action
  4. verb hesitate on moral grounds
    • The man scrupled to perjure himself
  5. verb raise scruples
    • He lied and did not even scruple about it
  6. verb have doubts about

WordNet

Scru"ple noun
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  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.
Scru"ple intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Scrupled ; present participle & verbal noun Skrupling
Definitions
  1. 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 transitive verb
Definitions
  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.

Webster 1913