scruple
a moral or ethical consideration or standard that acts as a restraining force or inhibits certain actions.
a very small portion or amount.
a unit of weight equal to 20 grains (1.295 grams) or 1/3 of a dram, apothecaries' weight.
an ancient Roman unit of weight equivalent to 1/24 of an ounce or 1/288 of an as or pound.: Compare as2 (def. 2).
to have scruples.
to have scruples about; hesitate at.
Origin of scruple
1Other words for scruple
Other words from scruple
- scru·ple·less, adjective
- o·ver·scru·ple, verb, o·ver·scru·pled, o·ver·scru·pling.
- un·scru·pled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use scruple in a sentence
They scrupled bidding people good-morrow, or good-night, nor might they bend the knee to any one, even in supreme authority.
Fox's Book of Martyrs | John FoxeHe was conscious (p. 033) of the services he had done his country, and never scrupled to show that he knew his own value.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 3 of 8 | VariousShe had not scrupled to break with him in order to contract a marriage of convenience.
The Child of Pleasure | Gabriele D'AnnunzioI never yet knew any one else who scrupled to borrow and receive obligations.
The Romany Rye | George BorrowHe frankly offered the former concession, but long scrupled the latter.
British Dictionary definitions for scruple
/ (ˈskruːpəl) /
(often plural) a doubt or hesitation as to what is morally right in a certain situation
archaic a very small amount
a unit of weight equal to 20 grains (1.296 grams)
an ancient Roman unit of weight equivalent to approximately one twenty-fourth of an ounce
(obsolete when tr) to have doubts (about), esp for a moral reason
Origin of scruple
1Derived forms of scruple
- scrupleless, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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