from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Scruple \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.
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2. Hence, a very small quantity; a particle.
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I will not bate thee a scruple. --Shak.
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3. Hesitation as to action from the difficulty of determining
what is right or expedient; unwillingness, doubt, or
hesitation proceeding from motives of conscience.
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He was made miserable by the conflict between his
tastes and his scruples. --Macaulay.
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{To make scruple}, to hesitate from conscientious motives; to
scruple. --Locke.
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