| 单词 | scruple |
| 释义 | scruple (once / 269 pages) nv Your scruples are what keep you from doing things you consider to be morally or ethically wrong. Your scruples won't allow you to cheat on a test, or steal from your brother's Halloween candy stash. The noun scruple comes from a Latin word, scrupulus, which means a small, sharp stone. Some say that the philosopher Cicero first used the word analogously to compare a worry to a small, sharp stone in your shoe that bothers you. From there the word scruple took on the ethical principles meaning. If you are doing something bad, your scruples will bother you — but emptying your shoe probably won't help. WORD FAMILYscruple: scrupled, scruples, scrupling, scrupulous+/scrupulous: scrupulously, scrupulousness, unscrupulous/unscrupulous: unscrupulously, unscrupulousness USAGE EXAMPLESShe also decides that “with uncharacteristic reservation and scruples that I quash any details” of their first weekend together. Washington Times(Dec 28, 2016) Diplomatic scruples did not inhibit Vladimir Putin, who was all too happy to fill the vacuum. The Guardian(Dec 24, 2016) “Seven weeks of insomnia outweigh many scruples,” he told her when he finally poured forth his desire in a letter. The New Yorker(Dec 11, 2016) 1n an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action Hyper principle a rule or standard especially of good behavior 2n uneasiness about the fitness of an action Syn|Hyper misgiving, qualm anxiety a vague unpleasant emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some (usually ill-defined) misfortune 3n a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains Hyper apothecaries' unit, apothecaries' weight any weight unit used in pharmacy; an ounce is equal to 480 grains and a pound is equal to 12 ounces 4v hesitate on moral grounds The man scrupled to perjure himself Hyper hesitate, pause interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing 5v have doubts about Hyper question, wonder place in doubt or express doubtful speculation 6v raise scruples He lied and did not even scruple about it Hyper fret, fuss, niggle worry unnecessarily or excessively |
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