(常作 scruples)道德顾虑;良心不安;(对某事是否正当的)顾忌、疑虑。
/ˈskruːpəl/
I have no scruples about refusing the offer.
我毫不顾忌地拒绝了那个提议。
She had scruples about lying to protect her friend, even though the truth might hurt.
尽管真相可能会伤人,她仍对为了保护朋友而说谎感到良心不安。
来自拉丁语 scrupulus,原意是“小尖石、碎石”,引申为“鞋里的一粒小石子带来的不适感”,再比喻成“内心的不安与顾虑”。因此 scruple 常用来表示道德上“卡住你”的那种犹豫。