scrupulousadj.

/ˈskruːpjʊləs/

Forms: Also 1500s scrupilous(e, scrupulouse, scrupulus. Cf. scripulous adj.

Etymology: < French scrupuleux (16th cent., scrupuleusement 14th cent.), or < Latin scrūpulōsus , < scrūpulus : see scruple n.² and -ous suffix.

a. Troubled with doubts or scruples of conscience; over-nice or meticulous in matters of right and wrong. Also (of things, actions, etc.), characterized by such scruples.

ΚΠ

1528 King Henry VIII in R. Hall Life Fisher in Wks. (E.E.T.S.) ii. 61 Whiche thinge..ingendred such a scrupilous doubt in me, that my mind was incontinently accombred, vexed, and disquyeted.

1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) i. 52 Yt is good in suche case to be gouernyd by the consayle of a dyscrete gostly father leste the dome of hys owne conscyence be other to scrupulous or to recheles.

a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 58/1 Of spiritual men thei toke such as had wit,..& had no scrupilouse consience.

1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie iv. xi. 191 Abusing their libertie and freedom to the offence of their weake brethren which were scrupulous.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) iv. viii. 61 Rich. Why Brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?.. Hast. Away with scrupulous Wit, now Armes must rule.

1667 in Publ. Catholic Rec. Soc. (1906) 3 64 And yet, though he spent so much time in examining his consciens, he was not the least scrupulous nor long at Confession.

1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. i. vi. 226 Whatever doubts might be formerly raised by weak and scrupulous minds about the existence of such an original contract.

1835 I. Taylor Spiritual Despotism iii. 108 The common people superstitious, fanatical, scrupulous, licentious.

1907 A. C. Benson Altar Fire 134 The religion recommended was a religion of scrupulous saints and self-torturing ascetics.

†b. Prone to hesitate or doubt; distrustful; cautious or meticulous in acting, deciding, etc. Also (of actions, etc.), characterized by doubt or distrust; (of objections) cavilling. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > [adjective]

orrathc1175

unsicker?c1225

doubtousc1374

doubtive1393

unsurec1412

uncertained1470

doubtful1509

unassured1528

scriple?a1534

unpersuadeda1535

uncertainc1540

scrupulous1559

unsatisfied1575

unresolved1587

incertaina1616

dubious1632

scrupling1641

hesitant1647

insecure1649

hesitatious1657

uncleara1658

groping1691

doubting1715

dubitative1728

gingerish1764

vague1806

duberous1818

dubitant1821

undecided1828

inconclusive1836

foreheadless1844

titubant1880

convictionless1882

swithering1917

1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 46 It is truely said, that knowledge hath no enemie but ignoraunce. There are..no small number of Lactantius sort, not scrupulous enemies onely, but also Physicians, of whom [etc.].

1560 J. Daus in tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries Ep. sig. Aii^v Thucidides was so desyrous of the verity, and so doubtfull and scrupulous in wryting of his story.

1611 T. Coryate Crudities sig. H3 The Italians are so curious and scrupulous in many of their cities,..that they will admit no stranger within the wals.., except he bringeth a bill of health from the last citie he came from.

1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. ii. xxiii. §4. 574 But in filling vp the blankes of old Histories, we neede not be so scrupulous.

1655 G. Wharton Apotelesma 6 Not any one [sc. art or science] that can truly say, it is free from every scrupulous exception.

1695 J. Woodward Ess. Nat. Hist. Earth 8 I have been the more scrupulous and wary in regard the Inferences drawn from these Observations are of some importance.

†c. with const.: Loth or reluctant, through scruples, to (do something); doubtful or suspicious of (a person or thing); chary of or in (doing something); anxious or fearful about. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > [adjective]

argha1000

slowOE

unwillyc1200

sweera1300

unfain1338

loathc1374

dangerousc1386

eschewc1386

squeamous1387

obstinate?a1439

unpresta1500

ill-willing?1520

evil-willing1525

untowards1525

untowarda1530

unwilling1533

strange1548

ill-willed1549

dainty1553

relucting1553

squeamish?1553

nicea1560

loathful1561

coyish1566

coy1576

unhearty1583

costive1594

unready1595

tarrowinga1598

undisposed1597

involuntary1598

backward1600

retrograde1602

unpregnant1604

scrupulous1608

unprone1611

refractory1614

behindhanda1616

nilling1620

backwards1627

shya1628

retractable1632

reluctant1638

loughta1641

tendera1641

unapt1640

uninclinable1640

unbeteaming1642

boggling1645

averse1646

indisposed1646

aversant1657

incomposed1660

disinclined1703

unobliging1707

unconsenting1713

uninclined1729

tenacious1766

disinclinable1769

ill-disposed1771

unaffectioned1788

scruplesomec1800

back-handed1817

sweert1817

tharf1828

backward in coming forward1830

unvoluntary1834

misinclined1837

squeamy1838

balky1847

retractive1869

grudging1874

tharfish1876

unwishful1876

safety first1917

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > lack of confidence, distrust, suspicion > [adjective]

ortrowOE

truthlessa1200

untristc1374

mistrusty?a1425

overtrowinga1425

diffidenta1460

in suspicion1471

suspicionous1474

suspectious1521

mistrustful1529

surmising1535

distrusting1549

trustless?1550

mistrusting1552

misgiving1567

suspectfula1586

misdoubtful1596

distrustfula1600

shy1600

misdoubting1601

scrupulous1608

jealousa1616

umbratiousa1639

inconfident1667

suspecting1691

unconfiding1820

untrusting1861

defiant1872

leery1896

suspicionful1911

hincty1929

the mind > emotion > fear > nervousness or uneasiness > [adjective] > uneasy

fordrevedc1175

unquemea1400

fearful1535

anxious1548

qualming1576

uneasy1680

scrupulous1851

fidgeting1855

hinky1956

1608 D. Tuvill Ess. Politicke, & Morall f. 125 Hee was no way scrupulous to circumvent, and kill, insontes sicuti sontes.

1643 Sir T. Browne Religio Medici (authorized ed.) i. §3. 4 And therefore I am not scrupulous to converse and live with them.

1647 J. Howell New Vol. of Lett. 61 The Father is scrupulous of the Son, the Son of the Sisters, and all three of me, to whose award they referrd the business three severall times.

1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriotaphia: Urne-buriall i. 11 The Jews..as they raised noble Monuments and Mausolæums for their own Nation, so they were not scrupulous in erecting some for others.

1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. ix. §21. 320 The primitive Christians were very scrupulous of calling the Emperours Dominus.

1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison IV. xxi. 161 She often directed herself to me in Italian. I do not talk it well: But..I was not scrupulous to answer in it.

1785 J. Phillips Treat. Inland Navigation 33 Those..whom I have consulted on the subject, where I was scrupulous of my knowledge.

1851 S. Judd Margaret (rev. ed.) II. viii. 122 Don't you stir out of the house; I am scrupulous about what might happen.

d. absol. ( the scrupulous = scrupulous persons.)

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [noun] > conscientiousness > meticulous > person or people

the scrupulous1631

scrupler1650

1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes iii. ii. 117 in Wks. II 'Tis the house of fame, Sir, Where both the curious, and the negligent; The scrupulous, and carelesse;..all doe meet.

1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iii. vi. 213 There are some Birds..whose Bloud is cold as Fishes, and their Flesh in taste so near akin, that the Scrupulous are allow'd them on Fish-days.

†2.

a. Of a thing: Causing or raising scruples; liable to give offence; meriting scruple or cavil, dubious, doubtful. to make it scrupulous: to scruple, hesitate (to do something). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > be unwilling [verb (intransitive)]

nillOE

loathea1200

to make it tough1297

forthinka1300

reckc1300

ruea1400

to make (it) strangec1405

to make strangenessc1407

stick1418

resistc1425

to make (it) strange?1456

steek1478

tarrowc1480

doubt1483

sunyie1488

to make (it) nice1530

stay1533

shentc1540

to make courtesy (at)1542

to make it scrupulous1548

to think (it) much1548

to make dainty of (anything)1555

to lie aback1560

stand1563

steek1573

to hang back1581

erch1584

to make doubt1586

to hang the groin1587

to make scruple (also a, no, etc., scruple)1589

yearn1597

to hang the winga1601

to make squeamish1611

smay1632

bogglea1638

to hang off1641

waver1643

reluct1648

shy1650

reluctate1655

stickle1656

scruple1660

to make boggle1667

revere1689

begrudge1690

to have scruples1719

stopc1738

bitch1777

reprobate1779

crane1823

disincline1885

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > [adjective] > causing doubt

questionable1443

werefulc1485

scrupulous1548

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. lvii The scrupulous stynges of domesticall sedicion.

1574 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara Familiar Epist. 103 If your war, had bin vpon Ierusalem: it were to be holden, for iust, but for y^t it is vpon Marsillius: alway we hold it for scrupulus.

1593 Tell-Trothes New-yeares Gift (1876) 3 And it being my hap to enquire first from whence hee came, hee made it not scrupulous to certifie his comming from hell.

1622 F. Bacon Advt. Holy Warre in Misc. Wks. (1629) 117 As the Cause of a Warre ought to be Iust; So the Iustice of that Cause ought to be Euident; Not Obscure, not Scrupulous.

1685 J. Bunyan Questions Seventh-day-Sabbath ii. 16 This yet seems to me more scrupulous, because that the punishment due to the breach of the Seventh-day Sabbath was hid from men to the time of Moses.

†b. Of the nature of a mere scruple. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1605 in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 372 Let not any man mervaylle of the manyfould downefalles into synne, or think it a thing scrupulous.

a. Careful to follow the dictates of conscience; giving heed to the scruples of conscience so as to avoid doing what is wrong; strict in matters of right and wrong.A use of sense 1 developed chiefly in contexts with a negative expressed or implied.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [adjective] > conscientious

faithfulc1400

good-heartedc1425

rigorousa1500

nice-conscienced1530

scrupulous1542

conscionable1549

punctual1609

conscientious1611

tender-conscienceda1617

conscious1628

1542 T. Elyot Bibliotheca at Religiosus In testimonio religiosi, scrupulouse in bearynge wytnesse.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 210 His more scrupulous brother ceased to appear in the royal chapel.

1863 E. C. Gaskell Sylvia's Lovers I. iii. 39 Yet, though scrupulous in most things, it did not go against the consciences of these good brothers to purchase smuggled articles.

b. With infinitive: Careful (to do something) in obedience to one's conscience.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [adjective] > conscientious > to do something

scrupulous1726

1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. iv. 74 We should be religiously scrupulous and exact to say nothing..but what is true.

4. Of actions, etc.: Rigidly directed by the dictates of conscience; characterized by a strict and minute regard for what is right.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [adjective] > conscientious > specifically of conduct

faithfulc1400

conscionable1559

conscientious1611

scrupulous1779

society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [adjective] > conscientious > excessively conscientious

scripulousc1443

overscrupulous1549

strait-laced1554

conscionable1559

squeamish1581

spice-conscienced1600

spice-consciencec1613

scrupulous1779

mealy-mouthed1809

1779 Mirror No. 37 While he gave to business the most scrupulous attention.

a1797 E. Burke Tracts Popery Laws in Wks. (1842) II. 434/1 This point is carried to so scrupulous a severity, that chamber practice, and even private conveyancing..are prohibited to them under the severest penalties.

1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xiii. 248 William saw that he must not think of paying to the laws of Scotland that scrupulous respect which he had wisely and righteously paid to the laws of England.

1876 M. E. Braddon Joshua Haggard's Daughter I. 9 A scrupulous honesty recommended him even to careful housekeepers.

5. Minutely exact or careful (in non-moral matters); strictly attentive even to the smallest details; characterized by punctilious exactness.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [adjective] > scrupulously careful or attentive to detail

curious1570

nice1589

particular1616

scrupulous1638

elaborate1649

morose1695

minutiose1868

minutious1891

meticulous1952

the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [adjective] > scrupulously careful or attentive to detail > characterized by scrupulous care

curious1526

scrupulous1638

elaborate1649

minutious1779

nail-paring1996

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective] > characterized by precision

rightOE

curious1526

critical1617

scrupulous1638

primsy1786

focused1892

1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 77 Examining..every little moment of Art with such infatigable though scrupulous care.

1711 E. Budgell Spectator No. 162. ¶4 Where we would make some Amends for our want of Force and Spirit, by a scrupulous Nicety and Exactness in our Compositions.

1779 S. Johnson Cowley in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets I. 113 Thus all the power of description is destroyed by a scrupulous enumeration.

1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) ii. 5 Great men are seldom over scrupulous in the arrangement of their attire.

1862 W. A. Miller Elements Chem. (ed. 2) III. 11 Scrupulous attention to the purity of the matter submitted to analysis is of course of primary importance.

1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola I. v. 78 Shelves, on which books..were arranged in scrupulous order.

1881 B. F. Westcott & F. J. A. Hort New Test. in Orig. Greek II. Introd. i. 7 A scrupulous jealousy as to their text.

1886 Manch. Examiner 14 Jan. 5/4 The various performances were gone through with scrupulous exactitude.

†6. Wrought or produced with minute care and exactness. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective] > produced with care

scrupulous1635

1635 E. Rainbow Labour 34 If seelings be an ornament, what are scrupulous carvings?

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online December 2020).

单词	scrupulous
释义	scrupulousadj. /ˈskruːpjʊləs/ Forms: Also 1500s scrupilous(e, scrupulouse, scrupulus. Cf. scripulous adj. Etymology: < French scrupuleux (16th cent., scrupuleusement 14th cent.), or < Latin scrūpulōsus , < scrūpulus : see scruple n.² and -ous suffix. 1. a. Troubled with doubts or scruples of conscience; over-nice or meticulous in matters of right and wrong. Also (of things, actions, etc.), characterized by such scruples. ΚΠ 1528 King Henry VIII in R. Hall Life Fisher in Wks. (E.E.T.S.) ii. 61 Whiche thinge..ingendred such a scrupilous doubt in me, that my mind was incontinently accombred, vexed, and disquyeted. 1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) i. 52 Yt is good in suche case to be gouernyd by the consayle of a dyscrete gostly father leste the dome of hys owne conscyence be other to scrupulous or to recheles. a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 58/1 Of spiritual men thei toke such as had wit,..& had no scrupilouse consience. 1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie iv. xi. 191 Abusing their libertie and freedom to the offence of their weake brethren which were scrupulous. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) iv. viii. 61 Rich. Why Brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?.. Hast. Away with scrupulous Wit, now Armes must rule. View more context for this quotation 1667 in Publ. Catholic Rec. Soc. (1906) 3 64 And yet, though he spent so much time in examining his consciens, he was not the least scrupulous nor long at Confession. 1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. i. vi. 226 Whatever doubts might be formerly raised by weak and scrupulous minds about the existence of such an original contract. 1835 I. Taylor Spiritual Despotism iii. 108 The common people superstitious, fanatical, scrupulous, licentious. 1907 A. C. Benson Altar Fire 134 The religion recommended was a religion of scrupulous saints and self-torturing ascetics. †b. Prone to hesitate or doubt; distrustful; cautious or meticulous in acting, deciding, etc. Also (of actions, etc.), characterized by doubt or distrust; (of objections) cavilling. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > [adjective] orrathc1175 unsicker?c1225 doubtousc1374 doubtive1393 unsurec1412 uncertained1470 doubtful1509 unassured1528 scriple?a1534 unpersuadeda1535 uncertainc1540 scrupulous1559 unsatisfied1575 unresolved1587 incertaina1616 dubious1632 scrupling1641 hesitant1647 insecure1649 hesitatious1657 uncleara1658 groping1691 doubting1715 dubitative1728 gingerish1764 vague1806 duberous1818 dubitant1821 undecided1828 inconclusive1836 foreheadless1844 titubant1880 convictionless1882 swithering1917 1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 46 It is truely said, that knowledge hath no enemie but ignoraunce. There are..no small number of Lactantius sort, not scrupulous enemies onely, but also Physicians, of whom [etc.]. 1560 J. Daus in tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries Ep. sig. Aii^v Thucidides was so desyrous of the verity, and so doubtfull and scrupulous in wryting of his story. 1611 T. Coryate Crudities sig. H3 The Italians are so curious and scrupulous in many of their cities,..that they will admit no stranger within the wals.., except he bringeth a bill of health from the last citie he came from. 1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. ii. xxiii. §4. 574 But in filling vp the blankes of old Histories, we neede not be so scrupulous. 1655 G. Wharton Apotelesma 6 Not any one [sc. art or science] that can truly say, it is free from every scrupulous exception. 1695 J. Woodward Ess. Nat. Hist. Earth 8 I have been the more scrupulous and wary in regard the Inferences drawn from these Observations are of some importance. †c. with const.: Loth or reluctant, through scruples, to (do something); doubtful or suspicious of (a person or thing); chary of or in (doing something); anxious or fearful about. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > [adjective] argha1000 slowOE unwillyc1200 sweera1300 unfain1338 loathc1374 dangerousc1386 eschewc1386 squeamous1387 obstinate?a1439 unpresta1500 ill-willing?1520 evil-willing1525 untowards1525 untowarda1530 unwilling1533 strange1548 ill-willed1549 dainty1553 relucting1553 squeamish?1553 nicea1560 loathful1561 coyish1566 coy1576 unhearty1583 costive1594 unready1595 tarrowinga1598 undisposed1597 involuntary1598 backward1600 retrograde1602 unpregnant1604 scrupulous1608 unprone1611 refractory1614 behindhanda1616 nilling1620 backwards1627 shya1628 retractable1632 reluctant1638 loughta1641 tendera1641 unapt1640 uninclinable1640 unbeteaming1642 boggling1645 averse1646 indisposed1646 aversant1657 incomposed1660 disinclined1703 unobliging1707 unconsenting1713 uninclined1729 tenacious1766 disinclinable1769 ill-disposed1771 unaffectioned1788 scruplesomec1800 back-handed1817 sweert1817 tharf1828 backward in coming forward1830 unvoluntary1834 misinclined1837 squeamy1838 balky1847 retractive1869 grudging1874 tharfish1876 unwishful1876 safety first1917 the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > lack of confidence, distrust, suspicion > [adjective] ortrowOE truthlessa1200 untristc1374 mistrusty?a1425 overtrowinga1425 diffidenta1460 in suspicion1471 suspicionous1474 suspectious1521 mistrustful1529 surmising1535 distrusting1549 trustless?1550 mistrusting1552 misgiving1567 suspectfula1586 misdoubtful1596 distrustfula1600 shy1600 misdoubting1601 scrupulous1608 jealousa1616 umbratiousa1639 inconfident1667 suspecting1691 unconfiding1820 untrusting1861 defiant1872 leery1896 suspicionful1911 hincty1929 the mind > emotion > fear > nervousness or uneasiness > [adjective] > uneasy fordrevedc1175 unquemea1400 fearful1535 anxious1548 qualming1576 uneasy1680 scrupulous1851 fidgeting1855 hinky1956 1608 D. Tuvill Ess. Politicke, & Morall f. 125 Hee was no way scrupulous to circumvent, and kill, insontes sicuti sontes. 1643 Sir T. Browne Religio Medici (authorized ed.) i. §3. 4 And therefore I am not scrupulous to converse and live with them. View more context for this quotation 1647 J. Howell New Vol. of Lett. 61 The Father is scrupulous of the Son, the Son of the Sisters, and all three of me, to whose award they referrd the business three severall times. 1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriotaphia: Urne-buriall i. 11 The Jews..as they raised noble Monuments and Mausolæums for their own Nation, so they were not scrupulous in erecting some for others. 1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. ix. §21. 320 The primitive Christians were very scrupulous of calling the Emperours Dominus. 1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison IV. xxi. 161 She often directed herself to me in Italian. I do not talk it well: But..I was not scrupulous to answer in it. 1785 J. Phillips Treat. Inland Navigation 33 Those..whom I have consulted on the subject, where I was scrupulous of my knowledge. 1851 S. Judd Margaret (rev. ed.) II. viii. 122 Don't you stir out of the house; I am scrupulous about what might happen. d. absol. ( the scrupulous = scrupulous persons.) ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [noun] > conscientiousness > meticulous > person or people the scrupulous1631 scrupler1650 1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes iii. ii. 117 in Wks. II 'Tis the house of fame, Sir, Where both the curious, and the negligent; The scrupulous, and carelesse;..all doe meet. 1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iii. vi. 213 There are some Birds..whose Bloud is cold as Fishes, and their Flesh in taste so near akin, that the Scrupulous are allow'd them on Fish-days. †2. a. Of a thing: Causing or raising scruples; liable to give offence; meriting scruple or cavil, dubious, doubtful. to make it scrupulous: to scruple, hesitate (to do something). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > be unwilling [verb (intransitive)] nillOE loathea1200 to make it tough1297 forthinka1300 reckc1300 ruea1400 to make (it) strangec1405 to make strangenessc1407 stick1418 resistc1425 to make (it) strange?1456 steek1478 tarrowc1480 doubt1483 sunyie1488 to make (it) nice1530 stay1533 shentc1540 to make courtesy (at)1542 to make it scrupulous1548 to think (it) much1548 to make dainty of (anything)1555 to lie aback1560 stand1563 steek1573 to hang back1581 erch1584 to make doubt1586 to hang the groin1587 to make scruple (also a, no, etc., scruple)1589 yearn1597 to hang the winga1601 to make squeamish1611 smay1632 bogglea1638 to hang off1641 waver1643 reluct1648 shy1650 reluctate1655 stickle1656 scruple1660 to make boggle1667 revere1689 begrudge1690 to have scruples1719 stopc1738 bitch1777 reprobate1779 crane1823 disincline1885 the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > [adjective] > causing doubt questionable1443 werefulc1485 scrupulous1548 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. lvii The scrupulous stynges of domesticall sedicion. 1574 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara Familiar Epist. 103 If your war, had bin vpon Ierusalem: it were to be holden, for iust, but for y^t it is vpon Marsillius: alway we hold it for scrupulus. 1593 Tell-Trothes New-yeares Gift (1876) 3 And it being my hap to enquire first from whence hee came, hee made it not scrupulous to certifie his comming from hell. 1622 F. Bacon Advt. Holy Warre in Misc. Wks. (1629) 117 As the Cause of a Warre ought to be Iust; So the Iustice of that Cause ought to be Euident; Not Obscure, not Scrupulous. 1685 J. Bunyan Questions Seventh-day-Sabbath ii. 16 This yet seems to me more scrupulous, because that the punishment due to the breach of the Seventh-day Sabbath was hid from men to the time of Moses. †b. Of the nature of a mere scruple. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1605 in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 372 Let not any man mervaylle of the manyfould downefalles into synne, or think it a thing scrupulous. 3. a. Careful to follow the dictates of conscience; giving heed to the scruples of conscience so as to avoid doing what is wrong; strict in matters of right and wrong.A use of sense 1 developed chiefly in contexts with a negative expressed or implied. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [adjective] > conscientious faithfulc1400 good-heartedc1425 rigorousa1500 nice-conscienced1530 scrupulous1542 conscionable1549 punctual1609 conscientious1611 tender-conscienceda1617 conscious1628 1542 T. Elyot Bibliotheca at Religiosus In testimonio religiosi, scrupulouse in bearynge wytnesse. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 210 His more scrupulous brother ceased to appear in the royal chapel. 1863 E. C. Gaskell Sylvia's Lovers I. iii. 39 Yet, though scrupulous in most things, it did not go against the consciences of these good brothers to purchase smuggled articles. b. With infinitive: Careful (to do something) in obedience to one's conscience. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [adjective] > conscientious > to do something scrupulous1726 1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. iv. 74 We should be religiously scrupulous and exact to say nothing..but what is true. 4. Of actions, etc.: Rigidly directed by the dictates of conscience; characterized by a strict and minute regard for what is right. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [adjective] > conscientious > specifically of conduct faithfulc1400 conscionable1559 conscientious1611 scrupulous1779 society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [adjective] > conscientious > excessively conscientious scripulousc1443 overscrupulous1549 strait-laced1554 conscionable1559 squeamish1581 spice-conscienced1600 spice-consciencec1613 scrupulous1779 mealy-mouthed1809 1779 Mirror No. 37 While he gave to business the most scrupulous attention. a1797 E. Burke Tracts Popery Laws in Wks. (1842) II. 434/1 This point is carried to so scrupulous a severity, that chamber practice, and even private conveyancing..are prohibited to them under the severest penalties. 1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xiii. 248 William saw that he must not think of paying to the laws of Scotland that scrupulous respect which he had wisely and righteously paid to the laws of England. 1876 M. E. Braddon Joshua Haggard's Daughter I. 9 A scrupulous honesty recommended him even to careful housekeepers. 5. Minutely exact or careful (in non-moral matters); strictly attentive even to the smallest details; characterized by punctilious exactness. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [adjective] > scrupulously careful or attentive to detail curious1570 nice1589 particular1616 scrupulous1638 elaborate1649 morose1695 minutiose1868 minutious1891 meticulous1952 the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [adjective] > scrupulously careful or attentive to detail > characterized by scrupulous care curious1526 scrupulous1638 elaborate1649 minutious1779 nail-paring1996 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective] > characterized by precision rightOE curious1526 critical1617 scrupulous1638 primsy1786 focused1892 1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 77 Examining..every little moment of Art with such infatigable though scrupulous care. 1711 E. Budgell Spectator No. 162. ¶4 Where we would make some Amends for our want of Force and Spirit, by a scrupulous Nicety and Exactness in our Compositions. 1779 S. Johnson Cowley in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets I. 113 Thus all the power of description is destroyed by a scrupulous enumeration. 1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) ii. 5 Great men are seldom over scrupulous in the arrangement of their attire. 1862 W. A. Miller Elements Chem. (ed. 2) III. 11 Scrupulous attention to the purity of the matter submitted to analysis is of course of primary importance. 1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola I. v. 78 Shelves, on which books..were arranged in scrupulous order. 1881 B. F. Westcott & F. J. A. Hort New Test. in Orig. Greek II. Introd. i. 7 A scrupulous jealousy as to their text. 1886 Manch. Examiner 14 Jan. 5/4 The various performances were gone through with scrupulous exactitude. †6. Wrought or produced with minute care and exactness. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective] > produced with care scrupulous1635 1635 E. Rainbow Labour 34 If seelings be an ornament, what are scrupulous carvings? This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online December 2020). < adj.1528
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