| n. | 1. | A weight of twenty grains; the third part of a dram. | |||
| 2. | Hence, a very small quantity; a particle. | ||||
| 3. | Hesitation as to action from the difficulty of determining what is right or expedient; unwillingness, doubt, or hesitation proceeding from motives of conscience.
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| v. i. | 1. | To be reluctant or to hesitate, as regards an action, on account of considerations of conscience or expedience. | |||
| v. t. | 1. | To regard with suspicion; to hesitate at; to question. | |||
| 2. | To excite scruples in; to cause to scruple. | ||||
| Noun | 1. | scruple - a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains |
| 2. | scruple - uneasiness about the fitness of an action | |
| 3. | scruple - an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action | |
| Verb | 1. | scruple - hesitate on moral grounds; "The man scrupled to perjure himself" |
| 2. | scruple - raise scruples; "He lied and did not even scruple about it" | |
| 3. | scruple - have doubts about |
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