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▪ I. scruple, n.1|ˈskruːp(ə)l|
Also 6–7 scrupul, 6–8 scrupule; and see scriple, scriptule.
[ad. L. scrūpulus, more freq. scrūpulum (also scrīpulum, scrīplum, scrīptulum, scrīptlum, whence scriple, scriptule), commonly regarded as identical with scrūpulus scruple n.2, the sense ‘small weight or measure’ being supposed to be developed from the etymological sense ‘small pebble’.
The assumed sense-development presents no difficulty, but the relation between the forms with ū and those with ī has not been satisfactorily explained, and some scholars dispute the identity of the word.
Cf. F. scrupule (15th c.), Sp. escrúpulo, Pg. escrupolo, It. scrupolo, scrittolo (:—L. scrīptulum), G. skrupel.]
A small unit of weight or measurement.
1. A unit of weight = 20 grains, 1/3 drachm, 1/24 oz. Apothecaries' weight. Denoted by the character {scruple}.
[1382–: see scriple.] 1564–78W. Bullein Dial. agst. Pest. (1888) 42 Take Theriaca..ij Scruples..; bole Amoniacke, prepared, half a Scruple. 1590P. Barrough Physick (1596) A viij b, A Scruple is twentie barley cornes. 1632Massinger Emperor East iv. iv, With some few scruples of sassa-fras and Guacum. 1710P. Blair Misc. Observ. (1718) 63 It weighed betwixt a Scruple and half a Dram. 1843T. Watson Lect. Physic I. xxxix. 700 It consists of the iodide of mercury, mixed with lard, in the proportion of two scruples to the ounce.
attrib.1879St. George's Hosp. Rep. IX. 647 He was ordered scruple doses of salicylate of ammonia.
¶b. Alleged values of doubtful authority.
1656Blount Glossogr., Scruple (scriptulum), is of Troy weight seven grains and an half. 1688Holme Armoury iii. 339/1 A scruple is 14 graines. 1728Chambers Cycl. s.v., Among Goldsmiths, the Scruple is 24 Grains.
2. One-sixtieth of a degree; a minute of arc.
first scruple, second scruple, third scruple, the first, second, third power of one-sixtieth. Cf. minute n.1, etymological note.
1610Holland Camden's Brit. i. 205 The latitude fiftie degrees, and fortie scruples or minutes. Ibid. 474 Two and fiftie degrees and fortie scrupuls from the Aequator. 1655Fuller Hist. Camb. 16 Northampton lying within twenty nine scruples of the same degree of longitude with Oxford. 1709–29V. Mandey Syst. Math., Arith. 75 A Degree is sub⁓divided into Minutes, or First Scruples, 60′. A First Scruple, into Seconds, 60{pp}. Seconds, into Thirds, and so on.
†b. Astr. in special collocations (see quots.).
In some Dicts. scruple is said to be synonymous with digit 4, but this seems to be an erroneous inference from statements like that in quot. 1728.
1633H. Gellibrand App. Longitude in T. James Voy. R 2, The middle motion of the ☉ Center... The Prosthaphæresis of the Center add... The Proportional Scruples.—l. 1658J. Gadbury Doctr. Nativities ii. 229 Then..take out the Scruples of proportion, and reserve them until anon. 1728Chambers Cycl. s.v., Scruples eclipsed are that Part of the Moon's Diameter which enters the Shadow, expressed in the same Measure wherein the apparent Diameter of the Moon is expressed. See Digit. Ibid., Scruples of Immersion, or Incidence, are an Arch of the Moon's Orbit, which her Centre describes from the Beginning of the Eclipse, to the Time when its Centre falls into the Shadow... Scruples of Emersion, are an Arch of the Moon's Orbit, which her Centre describes in the Time from the first Emersion of the Moon's Limb, to the End of the Eclipse.
†3. As a unit of time.
a. scruple of an hour: the sixtieth part of an hour, a minute: more fully first scruple, the successive smaller fractions of the sexagesimal scale being called second scruple (= our ‘second’), third, fourth, fifth, etc. scruple.
b. Similarly, the day of 24 hours was divided sexagesimally into first, second, etc. scruples, the ‘first scruple’ being = 24 minutes.
c. In Rabbinical chronology, the 1080th part of an hour, equal to 1-18th of a minute (= late Heb. ḥēleq; the attribution of this measure to the Arabs is a mistake). Obs.
a.1603Sir C. Heydon Def. Judic. Astrol. iv. 143, I haue a plumbe watche..and this, with one motion giueth me so perfectly, both the minute and second scruple of time, that hauing obserued [etc.]. 1631Quarles Samson Med. xxi. 128 How can it be expected, we have power To hold out Seige, one scruple of an hower. 1640–72Wilkins Disc. New Planet ii. (1684) 124 If a Man, leaping up in a Ship, may abide in the Air one second scruple of an hour. c1653T. Whalley in Ussher's Lett. (1686) 603 [A computation expressed in sexagesimals of an hour is referred to as being] in hourly scruples.
b.1709–29V. Mandey Syst. Math., Arith. 77 Astronomically, a Day is divided as an Integer, into first Scruples 60′. A Prime or first Scruple into 60{pp}, and so on.
c.1728Chambers Cycl. s.v., The Chaldee Scrupule is 1/1080 Part of an Hour; called, by the Hebrews, Helakim. These Scruples are much used by the Jews, Arabs, and other Eastern People. 1788Marsden in Phil. Trans. LXXVIII. 419 The lunar month..according to the computation of the Arabian Astronomers, consists of 29 days, 12 hours, and 792 scruples or parts in 1080.
†4. A Roman land-measure of ten feet square, being the 24th part of an uncia and 288th of a jugerum. Obs.
1674S. Jeake Arith. (1696) 114 A Scruple of an Arpent is 1/48 of an Arpent or 10 Feet Square every way.
5. One-twelfth of an inch; a line. Also, one-tenth of a geometrical inch. (Cent. Dict.)
1802H. Martin Helen of Glenross III, This to me, who never leave one scruple of an inch of my paper unadorned by my literary genius.
6. fig. A very small quantity or amount; a very small part or portion.
1574Hellowes Gueuara's Fam. Ep. (1577) 77 There is no loue in this worlde so perfecte, as that whiche holdeth no scruple of interest. 1603Shakes. Meas. for M. i. i. 38 Nature neuer lends The smallest scruple of her excellence But [etc.]. 1644Milton Areop. (Arb.) 54 Look into Italy and Spain, whether those places be one scruple the better. a1680Butler Rem. (1759) I. 111 Each Word and Syllable brought to the Scale, And valu'd to a Scruple in the Sale. 1830Galt Lawrie T. ii. i, In the choice of a second wife, one scruple of prudence is worth a pound of passion.
▪ II. scruple, n.2|ˈskruːp(ə)l|
Also 6 scrupule, (scrupple, scropple).
[ad. F. scrupule (14th c.), ad. L. scrūpulus, lit. a pebble (recorded only in late L.), fig. a cause of uneasiness, scruple, dim. of scrūpus rough or hard pebble, used fig. by Cicero for a cause of uneasiness or anxiety.
Cf. F. scrupule (14th c.), Sp. escrúpulo, Pg. escrupulo, It. scrupolo, G. skrupel.]
1. A thought or circumstance that troubles the mind or conscience; a doubt, uncertainty or hesitation in regard to right and wrong, duty, propriety, etc.; esp. one which is regarded as over-refined or over-nice, or which causes a person to hesitate where others would be bolder to act. Often, scruple of conscience.
1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 63 b, He wyll..lette the..symple persone from the performynge of his dutyes.., by the reason of..feares and scruples. c1534More Wks. 1435/1 Though men..say it is no consience but a foolish scruple. a1548Hall Chron., Hen. VIII 179 The kyng of England..was in a great scruple of his conscience and not quiet in his mynde. 1602Shakes. Ham. iv. iv. 40 (2nd Qo.) Some crauen scruple Of thinking too precisely on th'euent. 1660Jer. Taylor Duct. Dubit. i. vi. Rule 1, A Scruple is a great trouble of mind proceeding from a little motive. 1692R. L'Estrange Fables xli. 43 Upon the nicest Scruples of Honour. 1759Franklin Ess. Wks. 1840 III. 389 The assembly did not, however, start any scruple on this head. 1788Gibbon Decl. & F. xlix. V. 90 The scruples of reason, or piety, were silenced by the strong evidence of visions and miracles. 1854Faber Growth in Holiness xvii. (1872) 317 A scruple is..a vain fear of sin where there is no reasonable ground for suspecting sin. 1868E. Edwards Ralegh I. ii. 34 They had to deal with enemies who were troubled with few scruples.
b. in generalized sense. (Sometimes = scrupulosity.)
1547–8Ordre of Commvnion 7 To the satisfaccion of his mynde, and auoydyng of all scruple and doubtfulnes. 1660Jer. Taylor Duct. Dubit. i. vi. Rule 2 §1 This is a right course in the matter of scruple; proceed to action. 1689Evelyn Diary 21 Feb., The Abp. of Canterbury and some of the rest, on scruple of conscience..enter'd their Protests and hung off. 1788Gibbon Decl. & F. xlix. V. 90 At first, the experiment was made with caution and scruple. 1848Baroness Bunsen in Hare Life (1879) II. iii. 114 He expresses much concern and scruple about the trouble he occasions. 1872Blackmore Maid of Sker vi, Just as I had made up my mind to lift up the latch, and to walk in freely, as I would have done in most other houses, but stood on scruple with Evan Thomas.
c. Phr. without scruple.
1526Tindale Acts x. 29 Therfore cam I unto you with outen scruple [orig. ἀναντιρρήτως]. 1598Shakes. Merry W. v. v. 157. 1788 Gibbon Decl. & F. xlix. V. 98 The Jewish king, who had broken without scruple the brazen serpent. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. ii. I. 186 Attacked by the civil power, they without scruple repelled force by force.
d. Phr. to have scruples; to have little scruple, no scruple, etc. Const. about (a matter), in (doing something).
1719De Foe Crusoe i. 340, I had some little Scruple in my Mind about Religion, which insensibly drew me back. 1736Gentl. Mag. VI. 709/2 That the Quakers can have no Scruple of Conscience in paying Tythes. 1828Macaulay Ess., Hallam's Const. Hist. (1897) 80 A man without truth or humanity may have some strange scruples about a trifle. 1850J. W. Croker in C. Papers 14 June (1884) I. i. 18 If you have the slightest [objection], pray have no scruple in leaving my curiosity ungratified. 1865Kingsley Herew. viii, [They] had little scruple in applying to a witch.
e. to make scruple (also a, no, etc. scruple): to entertain or raise a scruple or doubt; to hesitate, be reluctant, esp. on conscientious grounds. Const. infin.; also with of (at, in) = to stick at, hesitate to do or allow, etc. ? Obs. (Cf. F. faire scrupule, with similar constructions.)
1589Nashe Pasquill & Marf. B j, They presume to make a shrewde scruple of their obedience. 1591Savile Tacitus, Hist. i. lxxxix. 51 Making a scruple that the holy shields called Ancilia were as yet not layed up againe. 1603B. Jonson Sejanus iv. v. (1605) I 4 b, Lac. But is that true, it 'tis prohibited To sacrifice vnto him? Ter. Some such thing Cæsar makes scruple of, but forbids it not. 1605Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. xxiii. §36 Cæsar..made no scruple to professe that hee had rather bee first in a village, then second at Rome. 1639N. N. tr. Du Bosq's Compl. Woman i. 57 The superstitious make more scruple of a little sinne then of a great. 1669–70Marvell Corr. cxxxii. Wks. (Grosart) II. 298 One of those who thinke it the greatest point of wisdome to make the most scruples. 1722De Foe Moll Flanders (1840) 210, I made no scruple at taking these goods. 1845Ford Handbk. Spain i. 14 Small scruple is made by the authorities in opening private letters.
†2. A doubt or uncertainty as to a matter of fact or allegation; an intellectual difficulty, perplexity, or objection. beyond a scruple, beyond doubt or cavil. Obs.
The phrase ‘scruple of suspition’ (quot. 1534) perh. contains an etymologizing reference to scruple n.1 6. Cf. ‘un seul scrupule de doubte’, 16th c. in Littré.
1534More in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. i. II. 49 In eny parte of all which my dealing, whither eny other man may peradventure put eny dowt, or move eny scruple of suspition. 1568Grafton Chron. II. 644 For auoyding of which scruple and ambiguity: Edmund Erle of Marche..made his tytle and righteous clayme. 1597Morley Introd. Mus. 16 In the Table there is no difficultie..yet, to take away all scruple, I will shew you the vse of it. 1662Stillingfl. Orig. Sacræ i. v. §2 The only scruple is whether it was used in their sacred accounts or no. a1718Penn Innocency with open Face Wks. 1726 I. 267, I hope my Innocency will appear beyond a Scruple. 1725De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 22 Our captain..raised several scruples about the latitude which we should keep in such a voyage. 1741Harris Three Treat. iii. i. (1765) 140 A Subject, where one's own Interest appeared concerned so nearly would well justify every Scruple, and even the severest Inquiry.
†b. Disbelief or doubt of. to have or make scruple of: to hesitate to believe or admit. Also rarely with how and clause. Obs.
1597Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, i. ii. 149 But how I should bee your Patient, to follow your prescriptions, the wise may make some dram of a scruple, or indeede, a scruple it selfe. 1611― Cymb. v. v. 182 Whereat, I wretch Made scruple of his praise. a1628Preston New Covt. (1634) 116 When there is no scruple in our hearts of Gods love towards us. 1662Evelyn Chalcogr. 12 That Letters, and consequently Sculpture, was long before the Flood, we make no scruple of. 1666–7Marvell Corr. lxix. Wks. (Grosart) II. 210 If you find any thing perplext in it, I shall..resolve any scruple that you may have of its exposition. 1672Villiers (Dk. Buckhm.) Rehearsal i. (Arb.) 33 If you make the least scruple of the efficacie of these my Rules, do but come to the Play-house, and you shall judge of 'em by the effects.
†c. without scruple: without doubt or question, doubtless. (Used to qualify an assertion.) Obs.
1612Selden Illustr. Drayton's Poly-olb. xi. 189 As is, without scruple, apparant in the date of the synod. 1690Child Disc. Trade (1698) 49 The same house to be sold..would have yielded without scruple 1000 or 1200 l.
¶d. A suspicion of (something). rare—1.
1597Sir R. Cecil in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. i. III. 42 Wherein that you may see the poore unfortunate Secretarie will leave no scrupule in you of lack of industry, to yeald you all satisfaction..I have thought good to [etc.].
†e. A quibble, fine distinction. Obs.
1709Felton Diss. Classics (1718) 43 If there is any Thing else Commentators concern themselves about, it is Property of Expression, or rather some Verbal Niceties, and Grammatical Scruples.
3. Comb., as † scruple-drawer (applied to a confessor), scruple-monger; scruple-selling ppl. a.
a1704T. Brown Laconics Wks. 1711 IV. 19 The late Ordinary of Newgate, Mr. Smith, who was one of the most famous *Scruple-drawers of his Time.
1675Walton Hooker in Wordsw. Eccl. Biog. (1818) IV. 223 There were also many of these *Scruplemongers that pretended a tenderness of conscience, refusing to take an oath before a lawful magistrate.
a1704T. Brown Reas. Oaths Wks. 1711 IV. 91 b, Printed by one of those Godly Wholesale Dealers in Scandal, those *Scruple-selling Vermin of the Poultry.
▪ III. scruple, v.|ˈskruːp(ə)l|
Also 7 scrupule, scroople.
[f. the n. Cf. OF. (15th c.) scrupuler ‘examiner scrupuleusement’ (Godefroy).]
1. trans. To have or make scruples about; to demur to, take exception to, question the propriety or expediency of (something done or to be done); to hesitate or stick at (doing something). ? Obs.
1627W. Sclater Exp. 2 Thess. (1629) 175 Was euer a Papist knowne to scruple this sinne? Not to extenuate it as veniall? 1692Locke 3rd Let. Toleration iii. Wks. 1714 II. 347 Perhaps it is because he scruples the Cross in Baptism. 1721De Foe Mem. Cavalier (1840) 302 Let no man scruple my honourable mention of this noble enemy. 1748Chesterfield Lett. II. cxlv. 18 He scrupled no means to obtain his ends. 1837Hallam Lit. Europe iii. iii. §86 note, It seems reasonable not to scruple the use of a word so convenient.
†2. To doubt, question, hesitate to believe (a fact, allegation, etc.); to question the truth, goodness, or genuineness of. Obs.
1640D. Cawdrey Three Serm. (1641) 13 The Truth of this Grant may well be scrupled. 1660tr. Amyraldus' Treat. conc. Relig. iii. viii. 474 The Doctrine of a Third [Person] ought not to be scrupul'd. 1752J. Gill Trinity iv. 75 Though the Father's Deity is not scrupled, or called in question. 1787R. Tyler Contrast iii, Though I don't scruple your veracity, I have some reasons for believing you were there. 1846W. H. Mill Five Serm. (1848) 142 The charge of ignorance of the Gospel is often made against those who scruple statements resembling..this.
†b. with obj. a sentence introduced by that or whether. Obs.
1642Collect. Rights & Priv. Parlt. 9 They at the first scrupuled, whether or no they might take up armes for their own defence against that cruell arrest. 1651Biggs New Disp. ⁋275 It is not to be scrupled that the omnipotent and wise Creator saw and judged all things that he had made to be good. 1665Manley Grotius' Low C. Warres 7 They were of invincible spirits to undergo all manner of..dangers, whereby it was scrupled by the rest of the World, Whether they were more greedy or Honour or Wealth?
†3. causative. To excite scruples in (a person), to cause to feel scruples. Obs.
1638Chillingw. Relig. Prot. i. vi. §72. 380 But all of them..fear the event of such a tryall [of their religion] that they may be scrupled and staggered and disquieted by it. 1657J. Watts Scribe, etc. iii. 72 The dangerous tentations of the Devil, wherewith he and his instruments..do mainly assault the mindes, and scruple the consciences,..of the weaker amongst us. 1689Col. Rec. Pennsylv. I. 255 If he had anything that scrupled him in matter of Law.
4. intr. To entertain or raise scruples; to hesitate, demur, † doubt. Chiefly to scruple at (also in indirect passive). Now rare.
1639J. Saltmarsh Pract. Policy 120 When you are to be engaged in imploiment, and your abilities are doubted and questioned, and therefore you are scrupeld at. 1686tr. Chardin's Trav. Persia 63 Although M. de Nointel scrupl'd at first, yet he consented at length. 1708Misc. Curiosa III. 407 Whilst I was scrupling at this Relation, they brought me Gallasius his Commentary upon Exodus. 1824Southey Sir T. More (1831) I. 26 The sovereigns..who scrupled at no means for securing themselves on the throne. 1861Buckle Civiliz. (1873) II. viii. 481 His love for the Church was a passion and he scrupled at nothing which could advance its interests.
b. quasi-refl. with complement: To allow one's scruples to drive one out of.
1786J. Newton in J. Bull Mem. W. Bull (1864) 163 Mr. R. of Birmingham has indeed had some sceptical qualms about his situation in the Church, and some thoughts of seceding or dissenting from us... I shall be sorry if he scruples himself out of a sphere of usefulness.
5. Const. inf.: To hesitate or be reluctant (to do something), esp. on conscientious grounds, or out of regard for what is fit and proper. (The current use.)
1660F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 357 Fathers not scrupling to make their own children victims. 1667Milton P.L. ix. 997 He scrupl'd not to eat Against his better knowledge. 1687A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. ii. 119 The Muletors scrupuled to let us have Mules to Ride on. 1761Hume Hist. Eng. II. xxxv. 279 The lords for some time scrupled to pass this clause. 1864Bryce Holy Rom. Emp. x. (1875) 164 The Pope did not scruple to preach a crusade against the Emperor himself. 1871R. Ellis tr. Catullus p. xix, Nor have I scrupled to forsake the ancient quantity in proper names.
Hence ˈscrupled ppl. a., questioned, made an object of scruple. ˈscrupling vbl. n. and ppl. a.
1641Vindic. Smectymnuus 36 Unable to give solid satisfaction to a scrupling conscience. 1665Wither Lord's Prayer 127 Therefore the scrupling at this conditional Petition is causless. 1670Baxter Cure Ch. Div. 381 Let all Rulers multiply unnecessary scrupled impositions in their own dominions. 1696Whiston Theory of Earth ii. 151 One of the most scrupled and exceptionable Points of his Narration, that of the Universal Deluge. 1818scrupling [see rap v.1 3 c]. 1827Hallam Const. Hist. (1876) III. xv. 173 The bill of comprehension proposed to parliament went no farther than to leave a few scrupled ceremonies at discretion. 1894Athenæum 24 Nov. 708/3 [He] scorned the constraint which prevents a scrupling dullard from describing what he never saw. |