scru·ple / ˈskroōpəl/ • n. 1. (usu. scruples) a feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action: I had no scruples about eavesdropping | without scruple, these politicians use fear as a persuasion weapon. 2. hist. a unit of weight equal to 20 grains, used by apothecaries. ∎ archaic a very small amount of something, esp. a quality.• v. [intr.] hesitate or be reluctant to do something that one thinks may be wrong: she doesn't scruple to ask her parents for money.

scruple
A. small unit of weight or measurement;

B. thought or doubt troubling the conscience. XVI. — F. scrupule or L. scrūpulus, -ulum in above senss, dim. of scrūpus rough or sharp pebble, anxiety.

Hence or so scruple vb. XVII. f. the sb. or — F. So scrupulous XV, scrupulosity XVI. — F. or L.