\Scru"pu*lous\, a. [L. scrupulosus: cf. F.
scrupuleux.]
1. Full ofscrupules; inclined to scruple; nicely doubtful;
   hesitating to determine or to act, from a fear of
   offending or of doing wrong.
         Abusing their liberty, to the offense of their weak
         brethren which were scrupulous.       --Hooker.
2. Careful; cautious; exact; nice; as, scrupulous abstinence
   from labor; scrupulous performance of duties.
3. Given to making objections; captious. [Obs.]
         Equality of two domestic powers Breed scrupulous
         faction.                              --Shak.
4. Liable to be doubted; doubtful; nice. [Obs.]
         The justice of that cause ought to be evident; not
         obscrure, not scrupulous.             --Bacon.
Syn: Cautious; careful; conscientious; hesitating. --
     {Scru"pu*lous*ly}, adv. -- {Scru"pu*lous*ness}, n.