A Quick and Simple Dictionary

scruple

1. Noun.  (obsolete) A weight of twenty grains; the third part of a dram.
2. Noun.  (obsolete) Hence, a very small quantity; a particle.
3. Noun.  Hesitation as to action from the difficulty of determining what is right or expedient; unwillingness, doubt, or hesitation proceeding from motives of conscience; to consider if something is ethical.
4. Noun.  (obsolete) A doubt or uncertainty concerning a matter of fact; intellectual perplexity.
5. Noun.   A measurement of time. Hebrew culture broke the hour into 1080 scruples.
6. Verb.  (intransitive) To be reluctant or to hesitate, as regards an action, on account of considerations of conscience or expedience.
7. Verb.  To regard with suspicion; to hesitate at; to question.
8. Verb.  (obsolete) To doubt; to question; to hesitate to believe; to question the truth of (a fact, etc.).
9. Verb.  To excite scruples in; to cause to scruple.