Background for scruples

scruples

/ˈskruːpəlz/

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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 jeweler carefully weighed the diamond, noting that it was missing a few scruples in weight. "

mass amount unit

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noun

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

Examples :

"The recipe called for an exact amount of each ingredient, but I added a few scruples of cinnamon to give the cookies a slightly warmer flavor. "

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noun

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

Examples :

"After reading two conflicting reports, the student had scruples about which source to cite in her research paper. "

moral philosophy mind character guilt value

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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 no scruples about copying her friend's homework because she felt the teacher was unfair. "

moral character philosophy mind guilt soul value

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noun

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

Examples :

""The ancient clock measured time in larger units, but scholars calculated smaller periods, like scruples, for astronomical observations." "

time number unit astronomy religion

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verb

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

Examples :

"She might scruple to lie, even to protect a friend, because honesty is very important to her. "

moral philosophy mind character value attitude

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verb

To excite scruples in; to cause to scruple.

Examples :

"The difficult decision about whether to accept the promotion at work scruples me; I'm worried about the extra responsibility. "

moral mind character guilt philosophy value

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verb

To regard with suspicion; to question.

Examples :

"The teacher scruples the student's claim that they completed the assignment, wondering if they had actually done the work themselves. "

moral attitude character mind value

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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 philosophy character human soul moral attitude