QUALM


Meaning of QUALM in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈkwäm also ]

ˈkwȯm or ˈkwälm noun

Etymology: origin unknown

Date: circa 1530

1. : a sudden attack of illness, faintness, or nausea

2. : a sudden access of usually disturbing emotion (as doubt or fear)

3. : a feeling of uneasiness about a point especially of conscience or propriety

• qualmy adjective

Synonyms:

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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.