A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Scrupil(l, Scrupl(e, Scrouple, n. Also: scruppill, scrupel, -ull, scru(i)pule; scroupell, scroople, scroppell; scripll. [e.m.E. scruple (1526), F. scrupule (14th c.), late L. scrūpulus (L. scrūpus) a pebble, fig. a cause of uneasiness.]1579, 1617 Despauter (1579).]
[Scrupulus, ane lytill stane or ane dout
1. A difficulty or obstacle arising in a matter, situation, procedure, etc.Also const. anent, in the matter in question.Also const. infin.(1) 1569 Cal. Sc. P. II 669.
[Certain] frivole [allegations wherein we have so travelled that] no scrupule restis apoun that head 1659 Douglas Corr. 267.
It is the affects of Bogies imbittered sprite that maks him start all these scrupls of purpose to vex me 1697 Fountainhall Decis. I 796.
There was no doubt but the delivery of victual was probable by witnesses, but the receipt of money-rent was all the scruple … it is an uncontroverted rule in our law that the receipt of money can only be proven scripto vel juramento(2) 1641 Acts V 624/2.
I doe forsie that I am to incounter with sum difficultie & scroppell anent my place … in parliament … in sua far as be ane … decreit gevin againes vmquhile James erle of Glencairne my guidschir [etc.] 1653 Glasgow B. Rec. II 276.
He had receavit them in the townes rentis befoir any scrouple was in passing of ryellis
2. A doubt or hesitation about a matter or as to the best course of action to pursue.Some examples may belong in 1.Also const. in or of conscience.1608 Nat. Lib. MS State 47, Sec. 91.
Yitt we haif presomed … to present unto your heynes our scruple and waik opinioun thereanent 1645 Misc. Hist. Soc. I 121.
Haif a speciall cair of the termes of payment and if ȝe haif any scrupil tharin, differ your opinioun tharin till we meit 1667 Justiciary Ct. Rec. I 243.
The judges … proponed their scruple to the king's advocate that the justices had not been in use to forefault absent persons 1674 Edinb. B. Rec. X 194.
There wes scrouples at continoweing the present baillies … by reassone of a decreit … according to which they are sworne not to continow the baillies above one year 1677 Aberd. Council Lett. VI 94.
I gave my opinione … of your effair about the call of the minister [etc.] … for I had my own scrouple to positive in these caises 1684 Inverness Rec. II 322.
That the magistrats should writ south … to get their information and further sense and solution concerning their scrouples to set the said McMartine at liberty 1703 Rothesay Par. Rec. 172.
He found him still to insist on some scruples because of his apprehended insufficiencie for such a weightie work —1650 Rothiemay Kirk S. in J. Gordon Hist. I App. lv.
That she had a scruple in conscience … but was no papist 1721 Life and Trials of William Sutherland (1721) 3.
When the bussiness of being executioner … fell to me, the scruple of my conscience grew upon my hand
3. Variously const. in the above senses. a. Without (but) scrupill. b. To mak (a) scrupill, to make a difficulty, to fail to cooperate; to hesitate or exhibit doubt or scrupulousness. c. To remove (all) scrupill(s, to remove a doubt (chiefly as to a matter of fact).a. 1565 Facs. Nat. MSS III xlix.
Sufficient to mak … men run on tham … without forder scrupill 1586–7 Warrender P. in Rait & Cameron King James's Secret 151.
Thairfor my lord vithout all kynd of scrupull I pray you to advyse him [etc.] 1633 Aberd. Council Lett. I 382.
We … but scrupill or ceremonie hes causit delyver the moneyesb. 1616 Sutherland Bk. II 127.
In ane gryt mater they wald stres thame sellffis littill to releiff him quhen they maid scruppill in sik ane triffill 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I 323.
Thus lipining that your ladyship will mak no furder scrupule in delyvering of the monyes to the laird your sone 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 286.
He maid great scrouple to subscrybe unlesse the Earle of Southerland wer his opposite 1689 Siege Castle Edinb. 35.
He made scrouple to open it. Bot one less scroupulous standing by opened and read it(b) 1649 Ruthven Corr. 104.
He maks a grytt scripll to lett me hawe aney morc. 1593 in Montg. Suppl. 328.
To remowe all scrupel, … the act of pacificatioun [etc.] … ar onlie … maid in fauouris of sic personis quha [etc.] 1602 Crim. Trials II 309.
To knitte the hearts of his people to him by removeing scrouples … or by confirming them in the concewed truth 1610 Denmylne MSS in Crim. Trials III 506.
Whiche declaratioun … did not onlye remove all scruipule and jealousye frome Sir Gedeon … but left none of the beholderis vnsatisfyed and fullie perswadit of that noble-mannis innocencye 1615 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 281.
You putt some questioun and doubt anent the terme of your commissioun … for removing of this scroople we [etc.] 1651 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 642.
That they would haist ther meitting for removing that obstikelle and scruple
4. A doubt or suspicion concerning (of) a person.1654 Stirling Ant. II 16.
Thomas Haruie being inquyred whither he was suspitious of his wyff, he denied that he had any scroupell of his wyff
