*scruple*

n. [ L. scrupulus a small sharp or pointed stone, the twenty-fourth part of an ounce, a scruple, uneasiness, doubt, dim. of scrupus a rough or sharp stone, anxiety, uneasiness; perh. akin to Gr. &unr_; the chippings of stone, &unr_; a razor, Skr. kshura: cf. F. scrupule. ] 1. A weight of twenty grains; the third part of a dram. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, a very small quantity; a particle. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will not bate thee a scruple. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Hesitation as to action from the difficulty of determining what is right or expedient; unwillingness, doubt, or hesitation proceeding from motives of conscience. [ 1913 Webster ]

He was made miserable by the conflict between his tastes and his scruples. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

To make scruple, to hesitate from conscientious motives; to scruple. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]