I.v. infra, B.), i, m. dim. scrupus. *
B. Transf.
1. T. t., the smallest division of weight (the 24th part of an ounce), a scruple; in this sense the neutr. collat. form scrīpŭlum (less commonly scrū-pŭlum ; also written, because of a fancied derivation from scriptum, scriptŭlum , scriptlum ) is most freq.: scriptulum, quod nunc vulgo sine t dicunt, Varro ap. Plautin. dixit. Idem tertio Annali. Is (nummus argenteus) quattuor scriptulis major fuit quam nunc est, Charis. p. 81: “si ibi auri scrupulum imponatur, etc.,” Vitr. 7, 8 med.: “scripula octo,” Col. 12, 28, 1: “picis sex scripula,” id. 12, 23, 2; Cic. Att. 4, 16, 13: “quinque marathri scrupula,” Ov. Med. Fac. 92: “scripulum nostri dixere priores,” Rhem. Fan. Pond. 8 sq.: “ita ut scripulum valeret sestertiis vicenis,” Plin. 33, 3, 13, § 47: “scrupulum,” Val. Max. 4, 4, 9: “scriptula,” Mart. 4, 89, 3; 10, 55, 3.—
2. Of other measures.
a. The twenty-fourth part of an uncia of land (the 288th part of a jugerum), Varr. R. R. 1, 10, 2; Col. 5, 1, 8.—
b. The twenty-fourth part of an hour: “QVAE HIC DORMIT VIXIT ANN. XXI. MENS. III. HOR. IV. SCRVPVLOS VI.,” Inscr. Fabr. p. 97, 219 (ap. Orell. 4718, n. 1); M. Aur. ap. Front. Ep. ad Caes. 2, 9.—
c. Of any other very small measure, Front. Aquaed. 26; Plin. 2, 10, 7, § 48.—
II. Trop., a pricking, stinging, uneasy sensation; hence,
1. Uneasiness, difficulty, trouble, anxiety, doubt, scruple (class.): “hunc sibi ex animo scrupulum, qui se dies noctesque stimulat ac pungit, ut evellatis postulat,” Cic. Rosc. Am. 2, 6: “sui scripulus tenuissimus residere aliquis videbitur,” id. Har. Resp. 5, 11: “mihi unus scrupulus restat,” Ter. And. 5, 4, 37: “qui fuit in re hac scrupulus,” id. Phorm. 5, 8, 30: “injeci scrupulum homini,” id. Ad. 2, 2, 20; id. Phorm. 5, 7, 61; cf.: “nummi potius addantur quam ullus sit scrupulus,” Cic. Att. 2, 4, 1; App. M. 1, p. 107, 5; cf.: “hic tum injectus est hominibus scrupulus et quaedam dubitatio, quidnam esset actum,” Cic. Clu. 28, 76; Suet. Claud. 37: “exime hunc mihi scrupulum, cui par esse non possum,” Plin. Ep. 3, 17, 2; cf. id. ib. 6, 8, 7: “omnis surculus ... sine scrupulo egregie inseritur,” without scruple, without hesitation, Col. 5, 11, 1; Vulg. 1 Reg. 25, 31: “scrupulus non mediocris me carpebat,” App. M. 6, p. 184, 11.—With gen.: “domesticarum sollicitudinum aculeos omnes et scrupulos occultabo,” Cic. Att. 1, 18, 2: “reus scrupulo quaestionis liberatur,” App. Mag. p. 305 med.—
2. A painfully minute examination, a subtlety, Gell. 5, 15, 9.