Askance
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /əˈskænts/, /əˈskÉ‘Ënts/
- US IPA: /əˈskænts/Rhymes: -É‘Ëns
Alternative forms
- askaunce obsolete
Origin
Compare Dutch schuin, schuins, sideways, schuiven to shove, schuinte slope. Compare asquint.
Full definition of askance
Adverb
askance
- (of a look or glance) With disapproval, skepticism, or suspicion.The beggar asked for change, but the haughty woman only looked at him askance.
- 1932 — Clark Ashton Smith, The scandal of opposition died down, and the stone-carver himself, though the town-folk continued to eye him askance, was able to secure other work through the favor of discriminating patrons.
- GladstoneBoth ... were viewed askance by authority.
- LandorMy palfrey eyed them askance.
- Sideways; obliquely.
- 1896 — H. G. Wells, , chapter 8I glanced askance at this strange creature, and found him watching me with his queer, restless eyes.
- 1878 — Henry James, , chapter 1...the head-stones in the grave-yard beneath seemed to be holding themselves askance to keep it out of their faces.
Synonyms
- (with disapproval, skepticism) skeptically, suspiciously
- (sideways, obliquely) obliquely, sideways
Adjective
askance
- Turned to the side, especially of the eyes.
- 1855 — Robert Browning, My first thought was, he lied in every word,
That hoary cripple, with malicious eye
Askance to watch the working of his lie