Scruple word meaning and definition

[noun] an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action
[noun] uneasiness about the fitness of an action
[noun] a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains
[verb] have doubts about
[verb] hesitate on moral grounds; "The man scrupled to perjure himself"
[verb] raise scruples; "He lied and did not even scruple about it"

\Scru"ple\, n. [L. scrupulus a small sharp or pointed stone, the twenty-fourth part of an ounce, a scruple, uneasiness, doubt, dim. of scrupus a rough or sharp stone, anxiety, uneasiness; perh. akin to Gr. ? the chippings of stone, ? a razor, Skr. kshura: cf. F. scrupule.] 1. A weight of twenty grains; the third part of a dram. 2. Hence, a very small quantity; a particle. I will not bate thee a scruple. --Shak. 3. Hesitation as to action from the difficulty of determining what is right or expedient; unwillingness, doubt, or hesitation proceeding from motives of conscience. He was made miserable by the conflict between his tastes and his scruples. --Macaulay. {To make scruple}, to hesitate from conscientious motives; to scruple. --Locke.
\Scru"ple\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Scrupled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Skrupling}.] To be reluctant or to hesitate, as regards an action, on account of considerations of conscience or expedience. We are often over-precise, scrupling to say or do those things which lawfully we may. --Fuller. Men scruple at the lawfulness of a set form of divine worship. --South.
\Scru"ple\, v. t. 1. To regard with suspicion; to hesitate at; to question. Others long before them . . . scrupled more the books of hereties than of gentiles. --Milton. 2. To excite scruples in; to cause to scruple. [R.] Letters which did still scruple many of them. --E. Symmons.

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