See Also: unpredict(dictionary)
scruple(medicine)
scruple(1)(dictionary)
scruple(2)(dictionary)
scruple 1, noun(dictionary)
scruple 2, verb(dictionary)

scruple(1) (iou) and unpredict (iou)


scruple(1) (iou)



scruple noun. Also (earlier) scriple, scrupul, scrupule. LME.
[French scrupule or Latin scrupulus, scripulus small sharp or pointed stone, smallest division of weight, also fig., dim. of scrupus rough or sharp pebble, anxiety.]
I.
An apothecaries' weight of 1 / 24 oz (20 grains). obsolete exc. Hist. LME.
fig. A very small quantity or amount; a very small part or portion. arch. L16.
E. B. Browning Critics..will weigh me out, scruple by scruple, their judicial verdicts.
Each of the units produced by successive division into sixty parts; spec. one-sixtieth of a degree of arc, hour, day (a minute of arc, a minute of time, 24 minutes, respectively). E17-E18.
In rabbinical chronology the 1080th part of an hour, equal to 1 / 18 minute. Only in 18.
= LINE noun2 20. Now rare or obsolete. E19.
II.
A thought or circumstance that causes the mind unease or disquiet; a feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action; a fine point of conscience, esp. one which is regarded as overrefined. LME.
L. Gordon The plan to leave Vivienne was foiled..in Eliot's mind, by his own scruples.
b. Regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action; compunction. M16.
M. Bradbury Invest in all their activities with high care and scruple.
A doubt or uncertainty with regard to a factual matter; an intellectual difficulty or objection. M16-M18.
Defoe Our captain..raised several scruples about the latitude..we should keep in such a voyage.
Phrases: have little or no scruple have little or no hesitation or compunction (about, in doing). have scruple of = make scruple (b) below.make no scruple to do have no moral uncertainty or hesitation in doing. make scruple (a) arch. entertain or raise a doubt; hesitate, be reluctant, esp. on conscientious grounds (foll. by of, at, to do); (b) (foll. by of), hesitate to believe or admit. without scruple (a) without hesitation or compunction; (b) without question, doubtless.

unpredict (iou)



unpredict verb intrans.rare (Milton). Only in L17.
[from UN-2 + PREDICT verb.]
Of a prediction: fail to come true.