20 March 2014

scrupulous

[skroo-pyuh-luhs]

adjective

1. having scruples; having or showing a strict regard for what one considers right; principled.
2. punctiliously or minutely careful, precise, or exact: a scrupulous performance.

Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin scrūpulōsus. See scruple, -ous

Related forms
scru·pu·los·i·ty [skroo-pyuh-los-i-tee]
scru·pu·lous·ness, noun
scru·pu·lous·ly, adverb
hy·per·scru·pu·los·i·ty, noun
hy·per·scru·pu·lous, adjective
hy·per·scru·pu·lous·ly, adverb

Synonyms
1. conscientious, cautious, careful, circumspect. 2. exacting, rigorous. Scrupulous, punctilious imply abiding exactly by rules. Scrupulous implies conscientious carefulness in attending to details: scrupulous attention to details. Punctilious suggests strictness, preciseness, and rigidity, especially in observance of social conventions.

Antonyms
2. careless.

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Today’s aphorism

Smile in the mirror. Do that every morning and you’ll start to see a big difference in your life.

– Yoko Ono

On this day

20 March 1969 – John Lennon marries Yoko Ono in Gibraltar.

20 March 1995 – Sarin gas, a nerve agent, is released in a Tokyo subway, killing 12 people and injuring 5,500. A doomsday cult known as Aum Shinrikyo is responsible.