01 a. Full of scruples; inclined to scruple; nicely doubtful; hesitating to determine or to act, from a fear of offending or of doing wrong.
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1.
Full of scruples; 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.
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2.
Careful; cautious; exact; nice; as, scrupulous abstinence from labor; scrupulous performance of duties.
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3.
Given to making objections; captious.[Obs.]“Equality of two domestic powers Breed scrupulous faction.” — Shak.
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4.
Liable to be doubted; doubtful; nice.[Obs.]“The justice of that cause ought to be evident; not obscure, not scrupulous.” — Bacon.
Syn.
Cautious; careful; conscientious; hesitating.