Category:Scrupulous

Scru"pu*lous, a. Etym: [l. scrupulosus: cf. F. scrupuleux.]

1. Full ofscrupules; inclined to scruple; nicely doubtful; hesitating To determine or to act, from a fear of offending or of doing wrong. Abusing their liberty, to the offense of their weak brethren which Were scrupulous. Hooker.

2. Careful; cautious; exact; nice; as, scrupulous abstinence from Labor; scrupulous performance of duties.

3. Given to making objections; captious. [obs.] Equality of two domestic powers breed scrupulous faction. Shak.

4. Liable to be doubted; doubtful; nice. [obs.] The justice of that cause ought to be evident; not obscrure, not Scrupulous. Bacon.

Syn. -- cautious; careful; conscientious; hesitating. -- scru"pu*lous*ly, adv. -- scru"pu*lous*ness, n.