SCRUPLE | Definition and Meaning

Definition of Scruple

Scruple

scru·ple

Definition/Meaning

(noun)

a feeling or doubt, uncertainty, or hesitation about the ethics or morality of some course of action, essentially serving as an internal mental boundary;

e.g. They continued without scruple to carry out their evil plan.

(noun)

in historical usage, a very small unit of weight typically used in apothecaries, equivalent to one twenty-fourth of an apothecaries' ounce or 20 grains;

e.g. The dosage of the medicine is just one scruple per day.

(noun)

in old usage a very small part or amount of something, especially of some quality;

e.g. She doesn't have one scruple of integrity, so she cannot be trusted to do the right thing.

(verb)

to be reluctant or hesitant to do something due to its being potentially morally wrong;

e.g. I hoped that he would scruple to go through with his evil plan.