I. ˈskrüpəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English scriple, from Latin scrupulus, scripulum, a unit of weight equal to one twenty-fourth of an ounce, from scrupulus small sharp stone — more at scruple II
1.
a. : a unit of apothecaries' weight equal to 20 grains or 1/3 dram — abbr. sc ; see measure table
b. : a minute particle or quantity : iota , jot
indignant if the old ugly routine … is altered by so much as one poor scruple — Margery Bailey
2. obsolete : any of several small units of measure (as a minute of arc or a minute of time)
3. : a British unit of liquid capacity equal to 20 minims or 0.04166 fluid ounce
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French scrupule, from Latin scrupulus small sharp stone, cause of mental or moral discomfort, scruple, diminutive of scrupus sharp stone — more at shred
1.
a. : an ethical consideration : a moral principle that inhibits action
a religious scruple … jeopardized his academic career — W.H.Salter
was not overburdened with constitutional scruples where measures he favored were concerned — A.H.Meneely
b. : scrupulousness
the want of scruple or humanity in jockeying for diplomatic advantage — Times Literary Supplement
c. archaic : a conscientious excuse or protest : apology , demur
small scruple is made by the authorities in opening private letters — Richard Ford
made no scruple at taking these goods — Daniel Defoe
d. : a twinge of conscience : mental reservation : qualm
had forgotten his scruples about accepting lavish hospitalities — Willa Cather
2. obsolete : a lack of certainty : doubt
hope my innocency will appear beyond a scruple — William Penn
Synonyms:
compunction , qualm , demur agree with scruple in denoting restraint upon intended action, usually self-imposed and arising from a nice sense of what is right or proper; but scruple is distinguished by the implication that a principle rather than a personal feeling is involved
moral scruples
religious scruples
began to have scruples, to feel obligations, to find that veracity and honor were … compelling principles — G.B.Shaw
scruple may sometimes imply undue fastidiousness
overconscientiousness … has wrecked many a promising career; I honor scruples, but they … have their place and should be kept there — Elinor Wylie
compunction denotes a spontaneous feeling of personal responsibility often accompanied by compassion for a potential victim
Lady Macbeth … had the compunction which he lacked — she could not kill … the king — S.L.Gulick b.1902
but is now also used of a passing or superficial concern
social compunction about occupying so exclusively the attention of the room — Mary Deasy
demur usually suggests resistance to or protest against an outside influence
fashion is accepted by average people with little demur — Edward Sapir
qualm emphasizes personal aversion to an act offensive to taste or morals
few little girls can squash insects and kill rabbits without a qualm — Rose Macaulay
serious qualms were felt by the respectable citizenry … at the idea of … young women walking unescorted through the town — American Guide Series: Massachusetts
III. verb
( scrupled ; scrupled ; scrupling -p(ə)liŋ ; scruples )
transitive verb
1. archaic
a. : to have or raise scruples about : boggle at
scrupled no means to obtain his ends — Earl of Chesterfield
b. : to have doubts about : question
2. obsolete : to cause to feel scruples : trouble
intransitive verb
1. : to have or raise scruples : become worried : fret
knew it was not so, and did not scruple about lying — Irwin Edman
2. : to be reluctant on grounds of conscience : hesitate
conspirators will often readily perjure themselves and take the oath, while some conscientious men may scruple to do so — Will Herberg
when any financial advantage can accrue to us … we do not scruple to destroy — Farley Mowat
Synonyms: see demur