SCRUPLE


Meaning of SCRUPLE in English

■ noun

1》 a feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality or propriety of an action.

2》 historical a unit of weight equal to 20 grains used by apothecaries.

↘ archaic a very small amount.

■ verb hesitate or be reluctant to do something that one thinks may be wrong.

Origin

ME: from Fr. scrupule or L. scrupulus , from scrupus , lit. 'rough pebble', (figuratively) 'anxiety'.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.