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askance

Pronunciation: /əˈskæns/

The English word “askance” has 5 meanings listed here.

adverb

  1. Of a glance or look: with disapproval, skepticism, or suspicion.
  2. Obliquely, sideways.

adjective

  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.

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”).

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