scruple

Noun · Verb

Synonyms: qualm misgiving

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains
uneasiness about the fitness of an actionSynonyms: qualm misgiving
an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action

Verb (3)

hesitate on moral grounds“The man scrupled to perjure himself”
raise scruples“He lied and did not even scruple about it”
have doubts about

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Scruple \Scru"ple\, v. t.

1.To regard with suspicion; to hesitate at; to question. [1913 Webster]

Others long before them . . . scrupled more the books of heretics than of gentiles.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

2.To excite scruples in; to cause to scruple. [R.] [1913 Webster]

Letters which did still scruple many of them.— E. Symmons.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

2.Hence, a very small quantity; a particle. [1913 Webster]

I will not bate thee a scruple.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

3.Hesitation as to action from the difficulty of determining what is right or expedient; unwillingness, doubt, or hesitation proceeding from motives of conscience. [1913 Webster]

He was made miserable by the conflict between his tastes and his scruples.— Macaulay.[1913 Webster]

To make scruple, to hesitate from conscientious motives; to scruple. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

Scruple \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. [1913 Webster]

We are often over-precise, scrupling to say or do those things which lawfully we may. --Fuller. [1913 Webster]

Men scruple at the lawfulness of a set form of divine worship. --South. [1913 Webster]