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. σκύρος the chippings of stone, ξυρόν 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. Scrupling.] 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 heretics than of gentiles. Milton.

2. To excite scruples in; to cause to scruple. [R.]

Letters which did still scruple many of them. E. Symmons.