ASKANCE

askance, askant, asquint, squint, squint-eyed, squinty, sidelong

(adjective) (used especially of glances) directed to one side with or as if with doubt or suspicion or envy; “her eyes with their misted askance look”- Elizabeth Bowen; “sidelong glances”

askance

(adverb) with a side or oblique glance; “did not quite turn all the way back but looked askance at me with her dark eyes”

askance

(adverb) with suspicion or disapproval; “he looked askance at the offer”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adverb

askance (not comparable)

(of a look or glance) With disapproval, skepticism, or suspicion.

Sideways; obliquely.

Synonyms

• (with disapproval, skepticism): skeptically, suspiciously

• (sideways, obliquely): obliquely, sideways

Adjective

askance (not comparable)

Turned to the side, especially of the eyes.

Synonyms

• (turned to the side): oblique, sideways, askew

Verb

askance (third-person singular simple present askances, present participle askancing, simple past and past participle askanced)

(rare, transitive) To look at (someone or something) with a sideways glance.

(rare, transitive) To turn (one's eye or gaze) to the side.

Source: Wiktionary


A*skance", A*skant", adv. Etym: [Cf. D. schuin, schuins, sideways, schuiven to shove, schuinte slope. Cf. Asquint.]

Definition: Sideways; obliquely; with a side glance; with disdain, envy, or suspicion. They dart away; they wheel askance. Beattie. My palfrey eyed them askance. Landor. Both . . . were viewed askance by authority. Gladstone.

A*skance", v. t.

Definition: To turn aside. [Poet.] O, how are they wrapped in with infamies That from their own misdeeds askance their eyes! Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

31 May 2025

AMATORY

(adjective) expressive of or exciting sexual love or romance; “her amatory affairs”; “amorous glances”; “a romantic adventure”; “a romantic moonlight ride”


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Coffee Trivia

Espresso is both a coffee beverage and a brewing method that originated in Italy. When making an espresso, a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure forces through finely-ground coffee beans. It has more caffeine per unit volume than most coffee beverages. Its smaller serving size will take three shots to equal a mug of standard brewed coffee.

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