askance

Alternative forms

• askaunce (obsolete)

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /əˈskæns/, /əˈskɑːns/
• (US) IPA^(key): /əˈskæns/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɑːns, -æns

Adverb

askance (not comparable)

1. (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 Maker of Gargoyles

     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.

   • Gladstone

     Both […] were viewed askance by authority.

   • Landor

     My palfrey eyed them askance.

2. Sideways; obliquely.
   • 1896, H. G. Wells, chapter 8, in The Island of Doctor Moreau:

     I glanced askance at this strange creature, and found him watching me with his queer, restless eyes.

   • 1878, Henry James, chapter 1, in The Europeans:

     ...the head-stones in the grave-yard beneath seemed to be holding themselves askance to keep it out of their faces.

Adjective

askance (not comparable)

1. Turned to the side, especially of the eyes.
   • 1855 — Robert Browning, Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came

     My first thought was, he lied in every word,
     That hoary cripple, with malicious eye
     Askance to watch the working of his lie