English noun: scruple | |||
1. | scruple (quantity) a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains | ||
Broader (hypernym) | apothecaries' unit, apothecaries' weight | ||
Part holonym | grain | ||
Part meronym | drachm, drachma, dram | ||
2. | scruple (feeling) uneasiness about the fitness of an action | ||
Synonyms | misgiving, qualm | ||
Broader (hypernym) | anxiety | ||
3. | scruple (cognition) an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action | ||
Broader (hypernym) | principle | ||
English verb: scruple | |||
1. | scruple (stative) hesitate on moral grounds | ||
Samples | The man scrupled to perjure himself. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s | ||
Broader (hypernym) | hesitate, pause | ||
2. | scruple (emotion) raise scruples | ||
Samples | He lied and did not even scruple about it. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s PP | ||
Broader (hypernym) | fret, fuss, niggle | ||
3. | scruple (communication) have doubts about | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | question, wonder | ||