Scru'pu-lous, a.

a. [Lat. scrupulosus, It. scrupoloso, scrupoloso, Sp. escrupuloso, Fr. scrupuleux.]

1. Full of scruples; inclined to scruple; nicely doubtful; hesitating to determine or to act; cautious in decision, from a fear of offending or doing wrong. “The offense of their weak brethren who were scrupulous.” Howell.
2. Careful; cautious; exact; nice; as, a scrupulous abstinence from labor.
3. Given to making objections; captious. [Obs.]

Equality of two domestic powers Breeds scrupulous faction. Shak. 4. Nice; doubtful. [Obs.] The justice of that cause ought to be evident; not obscure, not scrupulous. Bacon. Syn.—Cautious; careful; conscientious; hesitating.