askance Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite (used especially of glances) directed to one side with or as if with doubt or suspicion or envy
    askant; sidelong; asquint; squinty; squint; squint-eyed.
    • her eyes with their misted askance look"- Elizabeth Bowen
    • sidelong glances
  2. adverb with suspicion or disapproval
    • he looked askance at the offer
  3. adverb with a side or oblique glance
    • did not quite turn all the way back but looked askance at me with her dark eyes

WordNet

A*skance", A*skant" adverb (Also<
  • Askance
  • Askant
)
Etymology
Cf. D. schuin, schuins, sideways, schuiven to shove, schuinte slope. Cf. Asquint.
Definitions
  1. 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" transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To turn aside. Poet.
    O, how are they wrapped in with infamies That from their own misdeeds askance their eyes! Shak.

Webster 1913