scruple
intransitive verb
Noun (1)
Noun (2)
Verb
qualm, scruple, compunction, demur mean a misgiving about what one is doing or going to do.
qualm implies an uneasy fear that one is not following one's conscience or better judgment.
scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.
compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim.
demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence.
Middle English scrupil, scriple, from Anglo-French scruple, from Latin scrupulus a unit of weight, diminutive of scrupus sharp stone
Middle English scripil, scrupill, from Anglo-French scruble, from Latin scrupulus, diminutive of scrupus source of uneasiness, literally, sharp stone
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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