scruple
/ˈskruːpəl/
noun
Origin
Latin
scrupulus — small sharp stone; a source of anxiety
Overview
Meaning Now
- A feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action.
- A unit of weight equal to 20 grains (one-third of a dram) used by apothecaries.
Literal older meaning
small sharp stone
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
scrupule
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The metaphorical leap from a 'sharp stone' to 'moral hesitation' is classic: just as a small pebble in one's shoe causes constant, nagging discomfort, a 'scruple' causes nagging doubt in one's conscience.
Evolution
- Latin (Classical)
scrupulus
“small sharp stone; a unit of weight; a cause of uneasiness”
Diminutive of scrupus 'rough, sharp stone'.
- Old French
scrupule
“doubt, anxiety; small weight”
Adopted into Middle English via ecclesiastical and medical Latin.
- Middle English
scruple
“a doubt of conscience; apothecary weight”
Connections
Word parts
scrupulus
root
small sharp stone
Related across languages
French
scrupule
scruple, doubt
Spanish
escrúpulo
scruple
Explore next
Related to scruple
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.