scrupulus Latin · revision 34436

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=190–159 BC, Terence|origins=la scrūpus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈskruː.pʊ.ɫʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈskruː.pu.lus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''scrūpulus''' ''m'' (genitive scrūpulī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|scrūpus|-ulus|t1=sharp stone]], a diminutive.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan finds no etymology for the base noun.^(de Vaan 2008) Lewis and Short treat the unit of weight [[m|la|scrīpulum]] as a neuter collateral form of it, written also with ⟨t⟩ through a supposed link with [[m|la|scrīptum|t=something written]];^(Lewis & Short 1879) de Vaan likewise ascribes its ⟨ī⟩, and the occasional ⟨t⟩, to the influence of that word.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Terence,^(de Vaan 2008) in whose ''Andria'' a character says ''at mi unus scrupulus etiam restat qui me male habet'', “but one small worry still remains that troubles me”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The literal sense, a small sharp stone, is recorded only late, in Solinus.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) In Classical Latin it is a source of unease or doubt: Terence and Cicero speak of putting a worry into someone's mind, ''scrupulum inicere'', and Cicero of plucking one out, ''scrupulum ex animo evellere''.^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010) Gellius uses it of the fine problems of philosophy, and Apuleius of an anxious precaution.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) As a measure it is the 288th part of a unit, in one inscription a fraction of an hour,^(OLD 2012) and Lewis and Short give the 24th part of an ounce, a scruple.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it is a scruple or anxiety,^(Stelten 1995) and in Medieval Latin a suspicion.^(Niermeyer 1976) Medieval writers in Britain use it of a small stone and of a small weight of gold or silver.^(DMLBS) English borrowed it in the late 14th century as [[m|en|scruple]], both for a moral misgiving and for the small unit.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of a lingering worry.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero speaks of plucking a worry from the mind.^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 125–175 AD – Apuleius uses it of an anxious precaution.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 165 AD – Gellius uses it of philosophical problems.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * first half of the 3rd century AD – Solinus uses it of a small sharp stone.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English borrows it as ''scruple''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A small sharp [[m|en|stone]].^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)^(DMLBS)

+ # A source of [[m|en|anxiety]], a worry, doubt;^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010) ''scrūpulum inicere'': to make someone uneasy.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010)

+ # A subtle difficulty, a fine point.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+ # An anxious [[m|en|precaution]].^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+ # The 288th part of a unit; the 24th part of an ounce, a ''scruple''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' A scruple, anxiety.^(Stelten 1995)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A [[m|en|suspicion]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[scrūpulōsus]]

+ * [[scrūpulum]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[scrūpeda]]

+ * [[scrūpeus]]

+ * [[scrūpōsus]]

+ * [[scrūpulōsē]]

+ * [[scrūpulōsitās]]

+ * [[scrūpus]]

+ * [[en|scruple]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}