from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Scrupulous \Scru"pu*lous\, a. [L. scrupulosus: cf. F.
scrupuleux.]
1. Full of scruples; inclined to scruple; nicely doubtful;
hesitating to determine or to act, from a fear of
offending or of doing wrong.
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Abusing their liberty, to the offense of their weak
brethren which were scrupulous. --Hooker.
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2. Careful; cautious; exact; nice; as, scrupulous abstinence
from labor; scrupulous performance of duties.
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3. Given to making objections; captious. [Obs.]
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Equality of two domestic powers
Breed scrupulous faction. --Shak.
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4. Liable to be doubted; doubtful; nice. [Obs.]
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The justice of that cause ought to be evident; not
obscure, not scrupulous. --Bacon.
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Syn: Cautious; careful; conscientious; hesitating.
[1913 Webster] -- {Scru"pu*lous*ly}, adv. --
{Scru"pu*lous*ness}, n.
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