The word in the more literal Latin sense of "small unit of weight or measurement" is attested in English from late 14c. scruple (v.) "to have or make scruples," 1620s, from scruple (n.). Related: Scrupled; scrupling.
What is the meaning of scruple?
Scruple comes from the Latin word meaning “small sharp stone”; today's scruples weigh 1.296 grams. It has sometimes been used to mean “a minute quantity” or “iota,” as in this line from Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure: The other kind of scruple, meaning “an ethical consideration,” has the same root.
What is the etymology of the word scrupulosus?
mid-15c., from Anglo-French scrupulus, French scrupuleux, or directly from Latin scrupulosus, from scrupulus (see scruple ). Related: Scrupulously; scrupulousness. Harper, D. (n.d.).
How many scruples are in a pound?
As weights increase, a dram is 3 scruples, an ounce is 8 drams, and a pound is 12 ounces. Scruple comes from the Latin word meaning “small sharp stone”; today's scruples weigh 1.296 grams. It has sometimes been used to mean “a minute quantity” or “iota,” as in this line from Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure:
How many grains are in a scruple of grain?
In this system, the smallest unit is the grain, and a scruple is equivalent to 20 grains. As weights increase, a dram is 3 scruples, an ounce is 8 drams, and a pound is 12 ounces. Scruple comes from the Latin word meaning “small sharp stone”; today's scruples weigh 1.296 grams.
What type of word is scruples?
verbverb (used with object), scru·pled, scru·pling. to have scruples about; hesitate at.
Does the word scruples mean?
Meaning of scruple in English. a feeling that prevents you from doing something that you think is morally wrong or makes you uncertain about doing it: Robin Hood had no scruples about robbing the rich to give to the poor. He is a man without scruple - he has no conscience.
Where does the word scrupulous originate from?
Latin scrupulosusscrupulous (adj.) mid-15c., "characterized by fine distinctions of doubt," from Anglo-French scrupulus (Old French scrupulos, Modern French scrupuleux) and directly from Latin scrupulosus "careful, exact," from scrupulus (see scruple).
What is the root word of dolphin?
Dolphins are mammals, giving birth to live babies, which may explain the Greek root of dolphin, delphys, meaning "womb."
What is the synonym of scruples?
Some common synonyms of scruple are compunction, demur, and qualm. While all these words mean "a misgiving about what one is doing or going to do," scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.
What are examples of scruples?
When you believe it is immoral to lie and you hesitate before lying because of this belief, this is an example of a time when you have scruples about lying. When you only have a tiny piece of cake, this is an example of a portion which is a scruple.
How many words are in scrupulous?
Words that can be made with scrupulous 129 words can be made from the letters in the word scrupulous.
What is the noun form of scrupulous?
scrupulosity. The property of being scrupulous; excessive attention to scruples.
How do you use scrupulous?
How to use Scrupulously in a sentenceThe mileage was scrupulously recorded, as was everything else. ... Fauchet has the reputation of an impartial and scrupulously accurate writer; and in his works are to be found important facts not easily accessible elsewhere.More items...
What is the root word of giraffe?
Etymology. The name "giraffe" has its earliest known origins in the Arabic word zarāfah (زرافة), perhaps borrowed from the animal's Somali name geri. The Arab name is translated as "fast-walker".
What is the root of the word fiddle?
The etymology of fiddle is uncertain: it probably derives from the Latin fidula, which is the early word for violin, or it may be natively Germanic.
What is the root word of commemorate?
It's appropriate, therefore, that commemorate and other related memory-associated words (including memorable, memorial, remember, and memory itself) come from the Latin root memor, meaning "mindful." English speakers have been marking the memory of important events with commemorate since the late 16th century.
What does scruples mean in the Bible?
Having scruples is kind of like having a conscience: your morals or scruples cause you to act in ways you think are right. The idea of scruples has to do with ethics and morality: what is right and wrong. If you had no scruples at all, you'd just kill, steal, cheat, and do God knows what else.
What misgiving means?
a feeling of doubt or suspicionDefinition of misgiving : a feeling of doubt or suspicion especially concerning a future event Many people have expressed misgivings about his ability to do the job.
Is Scrumple a real word?
scrump, scrumple - Scrump is something withered or shriveled or dried up, and a scrumple is a wrinkle or crease. See also related terms for wrinkle.
How heavy is a scruple?
1.296 gramsScruple comes from the Latin word meaning “small sharp stone”; today's scruples weigh 1.296 grams.
Choose the Right Synonym for scruple
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. no qualms about plagiarizing scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.
History and Etymology for scruple
Middle English scrupil, scriple, from Anglo-French scruple, from Latin scrupulus a unit of weight, diminutive of scrupus sharp stone
What is scruple in a dictionary?
scruple. a moral or ethical consideration or standard that acts as a restraining force or inhibits certain actions. a very small portion or amount. a unit of weight equal to 20 grains (1.295 grams) or 1/3 of a dram, apothecaries' weight.
Why is the word "sinister" Latin?
The word "sinister" is Latin for "left," because left-handed people were often thought of as suspicious, evil, or demonic.
What is a scruple?
Scruples are a kind of moral compass that lets you know what's right. Often people use this word in an outraged way when someone does something bad: "Don't you have any scruples?". Liars, thieves, criminals, and politicians have fewer scruples than the rest of us.
What is scruples in psychology?
Definitions of scruples. noun. motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions. synonyms: conscience, moral sense, sense of right and wrong. see more. see less. types: superego. (psychoanalysis) that part of the unconscious mind that acts as a conscience.
What is scruples in morals?
Having scruples is kind of like having a conscience: your morals or scruples cause you to act in ways you think are right. The idea of scruples has to do with ethics and morality: what is right and wrong. If you had no scruples at all, you'd just kill, steal, cheat, and do God knows what else. Scruples are a kind of moral compass ...
Avoirdupois Weight & the English System
We take for granted today that there are standard measures for time, area, distance, and volume, but these were once very different from place to place. A standard agreed-upon hour of the day wasn’t even implemented until the mid-1800s.
Fathom
The depth of water is measured in fathoms, an ancient word that is as old as English itself: the Oxford English Dictionary includes an example of its use from 824.
Cubit
The dimensions of Noah’s Ark were given in cubits, a long since disused unit of measure. Like most measures in the ancient world, the precise dimensions of it are not known but certainly were variable; the length of a cubit was based on the length of the forearm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, or about 18 inches.
Scruple
A scruple is a small amount of something, and is used in the system of apothecaries’ weight used by pharmacists. In this system, the smallest unit is the grain, and a scruple is equivalent to 20 grains. As weights increase, a dram is 3 scruples, an ounce is 8 drams, and a pound is 12 ounces.
Dram
A dram is both a unit of weight and a measure of liquid capacity. In either case, it’s a small amount. Dram came from French through Latin and ultimately from the Greek word drachmē, meaning “handful.” As a unit of weight, a dram is 1/16 of an ounce (and an ounce is 1/16 of a pound). As a liquid measure, a dram is 1/8 of an ounce.
Barn
Everybody knows that barns are big. We even use the expression “couldn’t hit a barn door” or “couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn” to say that a person can’t aim well.
Firkin
A barrel is among the oldest units of measure, referring, predictably, to “the amount contained in a barrel.” Unlike other ancient vessels that today only refer to units of measure, like gallon and quart, barrel is still used today as the word for “a round usually wooden container with curved sides and flat ends.” A firkin is both the vessel and the measure equivalent to a quarter of a barrel—especially useful if you consider how much a full barrel of liquid must weigh (barrels of alcoholic beverages contain 31 gallons, and a gallon of water weighs more than 8 pounds)..
