askance

Meanings

Adverb

• With disapproval, skepticism, or suspicion.
• Sideways; obliquely.

Adjective

• Turned to the side, especially of the eyes.

Verb

• To look at (someone or something) with a sideways glance.
• To turn (one's eye or gaze) to the side.

Related

Similar words

• skeptically, suspiciously
• obliquely, sideways
• oblique, sideways, askew

Origin

• Unknown. Possibly from Middle English askances, or from Old French a escone ("hidden") or Italian a scancio ("obliquely"). Compare asquint, Middle English askoyn, Dutch schuin, schuins, schuiven, schuinte.