scruple

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Hesitation to act from the difficulty of determining what is right or expedient

   Hesitation to act from the difficulty of determining what is right or expedient; doubt, hesitation or unwillingness due to motives of conscience; moral qualm.

   • [U]ntil the Commonwealth [of England] torture was constantly used as an instrument of evidence in the investigation of offences, whether municipal or political, without scruple, and without question as to its legality.
2. 2

   A weight of ¹⁄₂₈₈ of a pound, that is, twenty grains or one third of a dram, about 1.3…

   A weight of ¹⁄₂₈₈ of a pound, that is, twenty grains or one third of a dram, about 1.3 grams (symbol: ℈).

   • The Oyle ſerueth in many operations, and ſpecially in all colde diſeaſes, if they be inwardly, give thereof euerye morning one ſcruple to drinke, and if they be outward annoynt.
   • Bezoar (Horſe) called Hypolites, excites Sweat, reſiſts Poiſon, kills the Worms, and ſtops a Looſeneſs; the Doſe is from half a Scruple to two Scruples.
   • Marcus Empiricus, a Roma physician, prescribed three scruples of cress, three of red onion, three of pine seed, three of Indian nard, for impotence.
3. 3

   A Hebrew unit of time equal to ¹⁄₁₀₈₀ hour.

   • The Mahometan year consists of 12 lunar months, each containing 29 days, 12 hours and 792 scruples; (1080 scruples = 1 hour) so that the year contains 354 days, 8 hours and 864 scruples.
   • The most ancient hour was divided into 1,080 scruples. The Jews suppose Issachar to have brought it from heaven.
4. ›+ 6 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A very small quantity

      A very small quantity; a particle.

      • Why euery thing adheres togither, that no dramme of a ſcruple, no ſcruple of a ſcruple, no obſtacle, no incredulous or unſafe circumſtance: What can be ſaide? Nothing that can be, can come betweene me, and the full proſpect of my hopes.
   2. 5

      A doubt or uncertainty concerning a matter of fact

      A doubt or uncertainty concerning a matter of fact; intellectual perplexity.

      • There aroſe a Scruple, nay, it amount to a Queſtion, whether to attempt an Eſcape from my Patron, one that ſo dearly Loved me, ſo fairly bought me, were juſtifiable before God and Men?
   3. 6

      To hesitate or be reluctant to act due to considerations of conscience or expedience.

      • They wouldn't scruple to cheat us if given the opportunity.
   4. 7

      To excite scruples in

      To excite scruples in; to cause to scruple.

   5. 8

      To regard with suspicion

      To regard with suspicion; to question.

   6. 9

      To question the truth of (a fact, etc.)

      To question the truth of (a fact, etc.); to doubt; to hesitate to believe, to question.

      • I do not scruple to admit that all the Earth seeth but only half of the Moon.

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