scruple

[ skroo-puhl ]

noun

1. a moral or ethical consideration or standard that acts as a restraining force or inhibits certain actions.

   Synonyms: restraint, compunction, qualm

2. a very small portion or amount.
3. a unit of weight equal to 20 grains (1.295 grams) or 1/3 of a dram, apothecaries' weight.
4. an ancient Roman unit of weight equivalent to 1/24 of an ounce or 1/288 of an as or pound. Compare as ²( def 2 ).

verb (used without object)

, scru·pled, scru·pling.

1. to have scruples.

verb (used with object)

, scru·pled, scru·pling.

1. to have scruples about; hesitate at.

   Synonyms: waver

scruple

/ ˈskruːpəl /

noun

1. often plural a doubt or hesitation as to what is morally right in a certain situation
2. archaic.
   a very small amount
3. a unit of weight equal to 20 grains (1.296 grams)
4. an ancient Roman unit of weight equivalent to approximately one twenty-fourth of an ounce

verb

1. obsolete when tr to have doubts (about), esp for a moral reason

Derived Forms

• ˈscrupleless, adjective

Other Words From

• scruple·less adjective
• over·scruple verb overscrupled overscrupling
• un·scrupled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scruple¹

1350–1400; (< French scrupule ) < Latin scrūpulus unit of weight, worry, precaution equivalent to scrūp ( us ) rough pebble + -ulus -ule; replacing earlier scriple, Middle English < Latin scrīpulum (variant scriptulum ) small weight, pebble, alteration of scrūpulus by association with scrīptum writing ( script; for sense relation gram ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of scruple¹

C16: from Latin scrūpulus a small weight, from scrūpus rough stone

Example Sentences

The convicted sex offender who died in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 had a low opinion of his former associate, feeling that he had "no scruples" and could not be trusted.

From Salon

But with Kamala Harris and a smattering of small-party candidates the only other options this November, Wade is putting his scruples to one side.

From BBC

Some may have otherwise been stolen by Western visitors with less scruples to be sold on the lucrative European and American artefacts market.

From BBC

“It’s scary. We shouldn’t downplay this. These people have no moral scruples. They regard you as their enemies,” she warns, referring to Russian intelligence agents.

From BBC

In the chaotic tangle of dust, horseflesh and steel, finding an unexpected advantage was not difficult for those unyoked from scruple.

From Salon