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scruple Definition

scru·ple (skro̵̅o̅pəl)

noun

  1. a very small quantity, amount, or part
    1. an ancient Roman unit of weight equal to ounce
    2. a unit of weight equal to dram apothecaries' weight or 20 grains (1.296 grams): abbrev. sc
  2. a feeling of hesitancy, doubt, or uneasiness arising from difficulty in deciding what is right, proper, ethical, etc.; qualm or misgiving about something one thinks is wrong
  3. high ethical standards

Etymology: MFr scrupule < L scrupulus, small sharp stone (hence small weight, difficulty, doubt), dim. of scrupus, sharp stone < IE *skreup- < base *(s)ker-, to cut

transitive verb, intransitive verb -·pled, -·pling

to hesitate (at) from doubt or uneasiness; be unwilling because of one's conscience; have scruples (about)

scruple Synonyms

scruple

n.

compunction, qualm, uneasiness; see doubt 2, qualm 1. See syn. study at qualm.

scruple Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • conscience: The Deanery of Coventry and Litchfield was subsequently offered him, which from scruples of conscience, he refused.

Infinitive complement

  • employ: Let us not scruple to employ the weapons of ridicule and sarcasm in defense of free speech and reason.
  • give: To procure this, we certainly ought not to scruple to give liberal conditions.
  • say: I do not scruple to say that she plays extremely well.
  • take: The men of Mawddwy were very fierce, and never scrupled to take anything they could set their hands on.
  • tell: Some of the actors were mad with jealousy, and did not scruple to tell him that.

Converse of object

  • have: Hence they had no scruple about rooting out the old Irish from Ulster.
  • feel: We felt no moral scruples about the possible future abuse of our brain child.
  • overcome: Disguising himself as Apollo, brother of Artemis, he overcame any scruples Callisto may have had and they became lovers.
  • show: Against competitors who show no such scruples, however, the ethical advertisers face a losing battle in the marketplace.
  • use: He did not use any scruples with the young clergyman.

Adjective modifier

  • conscientious: In this case there were no conscientious scruples to overcome.
  • moral: We felt no moral scruples about the possible future abuse of our brain child.
  • less: I should have less scruple in troubling you if I had any confidence what my work would turn out.
  • such: Well, there are no such scruples in Macau, which is why daytrippers from HK flock here.
  • few: He is too cowardly and perhaps too mindful of a few scruples.

Modifying Another Word

  • not: They that have an ill end will not scruple at an ill way.
  • never: The men of Mawddwy were very fierce, and never scrupled to take anything they could set their hands on.
scruple Quotes

   A man who could make so vile a pun would not scruple to pick a pocket.

—Dennis,John

Browse dictionary entries near scruple

  1. scrunch
  2. scrumptious
  3. scrummage
  4. scrum
  5. scruffy
  6. scruff
  7. scrubwoman
  8. scrubs
  9. scrubland
  10. scrubby
  1. scruples
  2. scrupulous
  3. scrupulously
  4. scrutable
  5. scrutinize
  6. scrutiny
  7. scry
  8. SCSI
  9. ScTP
  10. scuba