Background for scruple

scruple

/ˈskɹuːpəl/ /ˈskɹupəl/

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noun

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

Examples :

"The pharmacist carefully measured out a scruple of the powdered ingredient for the old remedy. "

amount unit mass science

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noun

(by extension) A very small quantity; a particle.

Examples :

""The detective examined the crime scene, searching for even the faintest scruple of evidence that could lead to the suspect." "

amount part thing

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noun

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

Examples :

""After reading the conflicting reports, I had a scruple about whether the news was actually true." "

mind philosophy character moral guilt value attitude

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noun

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

Examples :

"She had some scruples about accepting the expensive gift, as she felt it was too much for just a small favor. "

moral philosophy mind character attitude value soul guilt

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noun

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

Examples :

"Understanding ancient Hebrew timekeeping, we learned that a single scruple was such a tiny fraction of an hour that it's rarely relevant for modern schedules. "

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verb

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

Examples :

"She didn't scruple to tell a white lie to protect her friend's feelings. "

moral character mind philosophy value attitude action

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verb

To excite scruples in; to cause to scruple.

Examples :

"His constant questioning about the ethics of accepting the gift began to scruple her conscience, making her wonder if she should refuse it after all. "

moral guilt mind character value

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verb

To regard with suspicion; to question.

Examples :

"He didn't scruple to take credit for his teammate's idea, even though he knew it was wrong. "

mind moral philosophy guilt value character

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verb

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

Examples :

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

mind moral philosophy attitude value