scruple etymology

Etymology

• Middle English: scropele, scropil, from Old French escrupule, escrople, from Latin scrupulus "a small sharp stone, pebble; scruple, conscientious doubt, feeling of unease"
• Ultimately from PIE *skerp- "to cut, split"

Meaning

• A feeling of doubt, hesitation, or anxiety about the rightness of an action
• A small quantity or amount
• A unit of weight equal to 1/24 of a troy ounce (approx. 1.296 grams)

Origin

The word "scruple" originally referred to a small, sharp stone that could get stuck in one's shoe, causing discomfort. Over time, the term came to be used figuratively for a feeling of unease or anxiety about the correctness of one's actions. This sense of the word is evident in the phrase "to have scruples about something."

The unit of weight known as a scruple is related to the metaphorical sense of the word. In the Middle Ages, apothecaries used small stones to weigh ingredients. Stones that were too small to be weighed individually were called "scruples."

scruple relate terms

• scrupulous

  Etymology The word scrupulous comes from the Latin word scrupulus which means small

• scruple

  Etymology Middle English scropele scropil from Old French escrupule escrople from L

• qualm

  Etymology The word qualm is derived from the following sources Old Norse kvalm

• terminology

  Etymology Origin Greek etymon true sense logy study of Meaning The study of

• immigrant

  Etymology The word immigrant comes from the Latin word immigrare which means to mig

• inkling

  Etymology Middle English enke ink from Old French encre ancre Old French ancre f

• principle

  Etymology Old French principe Latin principium Proto Indo European _ prek to ta

• dram

  Etymology Origin Ancient Greek drama Meaning A literary composition designed to b

• question

  Etymology Question comes from the Latin word quaestio meaning inquiry investigatio

• drachma

  Etymology The word drachma originates from the Greek word drakme δραχμή whi

• anxiety

  Etymology The word anxiety comes from the Latin word anxietas which means anxiety

• fuss

  Etymology The word fuss is derived from the Middle English word fusen which in turn