Meaning & Definition of Scruple in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: A feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action.

  Example Sentence: He had no scruples about cheating on the test.

• Definition: A unit of measurement used in apothecaries' weight, equivalent to 1/20 of a dram or about 1.3 grams.

  Example Sentence: The recipe called for a scruple of the active ingredient.

Etymology

Origin: From Latin 'scrupulus', meaning 'small stone' or 'uneasiness'.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• have scruples: to have moral or ethical doubts about something.
• not a scruple: to act without any moral hesitation.

Translations

• Spanish: scrúpulo

• French: scrupule

• German: Scrupel

• Russian: сукнo

Related Words

• qualm: an uneasy feeling of uncertainty about whether one is doing the right thing.

• conscience: an inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one's behavior.

Slang Meanings of scruple

• Meaning: Having no scruples

  Example Sentence: He's so ruthless, he has no scruples.

• Meaning: In a scrupulous manner

  Example Sentence: She handles her business with scruples; integrity is important to her.