askance

Meaning

Adv

1. (not-comparable) With disapproval, skepticism, or suspicion.
2. (not-comparable) Sideways; obliquely.

Adj

Turned to the side, especially of the eyes.

Verb

1. (rare, transitive) To look at (someone or something) with a sideways glance.
2. (rare, transitive) To turn (one's eye or gaze) to the side.

Synonyms

asquint

askew

askant

sidelong

squint

squint-eyed

squinty

crookedly

obliquely

sideways

slantwise

suspiciously

awry

aslope

aslant

distrustfully

mistrustfully

bias

warily

sideway

Translations

obliquo

seitwärts

oblicuamente

de reojo

λοξά

schief

avec méfiance

de soslayo

sospettoso

de travers

diffidente

schuin

strabisme

obliquement

Pronounced as (IPA)

/əˈskæns/

Etymology

Cognate with Middle English: askoyn

Cognate with Dutch: schuin

In summary

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”).