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. A weight of twenty grains; the third part of a dram.
2. Hence, a very small quantity; a particle.
I will not bate thee a scruple. Shak.
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.