Scruple



GRE 蓝宝 Barron TOEFL

解释

GRE 红宝书

• n. 顾忌, 迟疑; v. 顾忌, 迟疑
• ［英］ n. 顾忌, 迟疑 ( an ethical consideration or principle that inhibits action) ; v. 顾忌 ( hesitate)
• ［例］ He did not scruple to tell when it served his interests.

Webster Collegiate

I. noun

• Etymology: Middle English scrupil, scriple, from Anglo-French scruple, from Latin scrupulus a unit of weight, diminutive of scrupus sharp stone
• Date: 14th century
• 1. — see weight table
• 2. a minute part or quantity ; iota

II. noun

• Etymology: Middle English scripil, scrupill, from Anglo-French scruble, from Latin scrupulus, diminutive of scrupus source of uneasiness, literally, sharp stone
• Date: 15th century
• 1. an ethical consideration or principle that inhibits action
• 2. the quality or state of being scrupulous
• 3. mental reservation
• Synonyms: see qualm

III. intransitive verb (scrupled; scrupling)

• Date: 1627
• 1. to have scruples
• 2. to show reluctance on grounds of conscience ; hesitate

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