scru·pu·lous

[skroo-pyuh-luhs]
adjective
1.
having scruples; having or showing a strict regard for what one considers right; principled.
2.
punctiliously or minutely careful, precise, or exact: a scrupulous performance.

Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin scrūpulōsus. See scruple, -ous

scru·pu·los·i·ty [skroo-pyuh-los-i-tee] , scru·pu·lous·ness, noun
scru·pu·lous·ly, adverb
hy·per·scru·pu·los·i·ty, noun
hy·per·scru·pu·lous, adjective
hy·per·scru·pu·lous·ly, adverb
hy·per·scru·pu·lous·ness, noun
un·der·scru·pu·lous, adjective
un·der·scru·pu·lous·ly, adverb


1. conscientious, cautious, careful, circumspect. 2. exacting, rigorous. Scrupulous, punctilious imply abiding exactly by rules. Scrupulous implies conscientious carefulness in attending to details: scrupulous attention to details. Punctilious suggests strictness, preciseness, and rigidity, especially in observance of social conventions.


2. careless.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To scrupulous
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Scrupulous is an SAT word you need to know.
So is covert. Does it mean:
a covering, a shelter or hiding place; concealment or disguise
Without refinement, delicacy, or sensitivity; gross; obtuse; stupid: insensitive, crude
Collins
World English Dictionary
scrupulous (ˈskruːpjʊləs) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  characterized by careful observation of what is morally right
2.  very careful or precise
 
[C15: from Latin scrūpulōsus punctilious]
 
'scrupulously
 
adv
 
'scrupulousness
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

scrupulous
late 15c., from Fr. scrupuleux (16c.) or directly from L. scrupulosus, from scrupulus (see scruple). Related: Scrupulously.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Scrupulous fossil collectors are careful always to get permission.
Scrupulous dental care can help avert tooth loss, but growing old gets in the
  way.
It has also been put together with scrupulous attention to the needs of the
  non-academic reader.
But it is easier to defend lightly used branch lines when the network is run
  with scrupulous efficiency.
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