Scruple vs Caution - What's the difference?
scruple | caution |
(obsolete) A weight of twenty grains; the third part of a dram.
(obsolete) Hence, a very small quantity; a particle.
* Ca 1601–1608 , , As You Like It , Act II Scene 3 221–222
Hesitation as to action from the difficulty of determining what is right or expedient; unwillingness, doubt, or hesitation proceeding from motives of conscience.
(obsolete) A doubt or uncertainty concerning a matter of fact; intellectual perplexity.
A measurement of time. Hebrew culture broke the hour into 1080 scruples.
To be reluctant or to hesitate, as regards an action, on account of considerations of conscience or expedience.
To regard with suspicion; to hesitate at; to question.
(obsolete) To doubt; to question; to hesitate to believe; to question the truth of (a fact, etc.).
To excite scruples in; to cause to scruple.
Precept or warning against evil or danger of any kind; exhortation to wariness; advice; injunction.
* Shakespeare
A careful attention to the probable effects of an act, in order that failure or harm may be avoided; prudence in regard to danger; provident care; wariness.
Security; guaranty; bail.
* Clarendon
One who gives rise to attention or astonishment.
A formal warning given as an alternative to prosecution in minor cases.
In lang=en terms the difference between scruple and caution
is that scruple is to be reluctant or to hesitate, as regards an action, on account of considerations of conscience or expedience while caution is to warn; to alert, advise that caution is warranted.As nouns the difference between scruple and caution
is that scruple is (obsolete) a weight of twenty grains; the third part of a dram while caution is precept or warning against evil or danger of any kind; exhortation to wariness; advice; injunction.As verbs the difference between scruple and caution
is that scruple is to be reluctant or to hesitate, as regards an action, on account of considerations of conscience or expedience while caution is to warn; to alert, advise that caution is warranted.scruple
English
(Webster 1913)Noun
(en noun)- Paroles: I have not, my lord, deserved it.'' Lafeu: ''Yes, good faith, ev'ry dram of it, and I will not bate thee a scruple .
- He was made miserable by the conflict between his tastes and his scruples . - .
Synonyms
* (precise weight) * (small amount) see also .Derived terms
* scrupulous * unscrupulousVerb
(scrupl)- We are often over-precise, scrupling to say or do those things which lawfully we may. - .
- Men scruple at the lawfulness of a set form of divine worship. - .
- Others long before them ... scrupled more the books of hereties than of gentiles. - .
- I do not scruple to admit that all the Earth seeth but only half of the Moon.
- Letters which did still scruple many of them. -E. Symmons.
External links
* *Anagrams
*caution
English
Noun
(en noun)- In way of caution I must tell you.
- The Parliament would yet give his majesty sufficient caution that the war should be prosecuted.
- Oh, that boy, he's a caution ! He does make me laugh.