SCRUPLE

scruple. scruple, doubt, difficultie

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scruple. Scruple, n. a doubt, a weight of twenty grains

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Scru″ple (?), n. [[L. scrupulus a small sharp or pointed stone, the twenty-fourth part of an ounce, a scruple, uneasiness, doubt, dim. of scrupus a rough or sharp stone, anxiety, uneasiness; perh. akin to Gr. � the chippings of stone, � a razor, Skr. kshura: cf. F. scrupule.]] 1. 1. A weight of twenty grains; the third part of a dram.
2. 2. Hence, a very small quantity; a particle.
I will not bate thee a scruple. Shak. 3. 3. Hesitation as to action from the difficulty of determining what is right or expedient; unwillingness, doubt, or hesitation proceeding from motives of conscience.
He was made miserable by the conflict between his tastes and his scruples. Macaulay. To make scruple, to hesitate from conscientious motives; to scruple. Locke.