[qualm] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1530) 1: a sudden attack of illness, faintness, or nausea
2: a sudden access of usu. disturbing emotion (as doubt or fear)
3: a feeling of uneasiness about a point esp. of conscience or propriety -- qualmy adj syn qualm, scruple, compunction, demur mean a misgiving about what one is doing or going to do. qualm implies an uneasy fear that one is not following one's conscience or better judgment "no qualms about plagiarizing". scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle "no scruples against buying stolen goods". compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim "had compunctions about lying". demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence "accepted her decision without demur".