Definition:Roman Weights and Measures/Mass/Scrupulus

From ProofWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Definition

The scrupulus is a unit of mass that was part of the Roman system of weights.

$1$ scrupulus $= \dfrac 1 {24}$ uncia $= 8$ calci.

Its value in modern units is estimated to be approximately $17.6$ grains, or approximately $0.14$ grams.


Also see


Historical Note

The scrupulus continued to be used as a unit of mass in Europe after the fall of Rome, evolving into the apothecaries' scruple.


Linguistic Note

The word scrupulus is the diminutive form of the Latin word scrupus, meaning sharp stone.

Its plural form is scrupuli.

The forms scrupulum, scripulum, scriptulum, scriplus and scriptulus can be found.

The word scriptulum is also associated with the lines on a draughtboard.


Its secondary meaning of anxiety, uneasiness, doubt, and so on, evolved into the present-day scruple, which can be interpreted to mean a concern about personal morality.


Sources