English Explanatory Dictionary

askance

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adv
  1. With disapproval, skepticism, or suspicion.
  2. Sideways; obliquely.
adj
  1. Turned to the side, especially of the eyes.
verb
  1. To look at (someone or something) with a sideways glance.
  2. To turn (one's eye or gaze) to the side.

Pronunciation

/əˈskæns/ /əˈskɑːns/ en-us-askance.ogg

Word forms

askance askaunce askant askances askancing askanced

Etymology

Unknown. Possibly from Middle English askances (“as if”), or from Old French a escone (“hidden”) or Italian a scancio (“obliquely”). Compare asquint, Middle English askoyn (“at a slant, askance”), Dutch schuin, schuins (“sideways”), schuiven (“to shove”), schuinte (“slope”).

Synonyms

skeptically suspiciously obliquely sideways asquint oblique askew
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