scruple

verb

scrupled; scrupling ˈskrü-p(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to have scruples

2

: to show reluctance on grounds of conscience : hesitate

Synonyms of scruple

• hesitate
• falter

Examples of scruple in a Sentence

a tabloid journalist who has never scrupled to reveal the most intimate details about the lives of celebrities

Word History

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for scruple

• duple
• pupal
• pupil
• quadruple

Kids Definition

scruple

1 of 3 noun

scru·​ple ˈskrü-pəl 

1

: a unit of capacity equal to ¹⁄₂₄ Apothecaries' ounce see measure

2

: a tiny part or quantity

scruple

2 of 3 noun

1

: a moral consideration or rule of conduct that makes one uneasy or makes action difficult

2

: a sense of guilt felt when one does wrong

acted without scruple

scruple

3 of 3 verb

scrupled; scrupling -p(ə-)liŋ 

: to have scruples

Etymology

Middle English scriple "a unit of weight," from Latin scrupulus "small sharp stone"

from early French scrupule "scruple," from Latin scrupulus "scruple, a small sharp stone"

Word Origin

Having a sharp pebble in your shoe can be painful enough to keep you from walking until you remove it. That fact was well known by the ancient Romans, who regularly wore sandals. Scruple comes from the Latin word scrupulus, which originally meant "a small sharp stone." The ancient Romans also used scrupulus to refer to a feeling or thought that might keep a person from doing something that was not quite right. It seemed to them to affect the conscience in the same way that a tiny stone in the shoe would keep a person from being able to walk. This second meaning of scrupulus is the one that still survives in our English word scruple.

Medical Definition

scruple

noun

scru·​ple ˈskrü-pəl 

: a unit of apothecaries' weight equal to 20 grains or ¹/₃ dram or 1.296 grams