askance — English Dictionary

Adverb

1. Of a glance or look: with disapproval, skepticism, or suspicion.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Synonyms

   skepticallysuspiciously

   Examples

   The beggar asked for change, but the haughty woman only looked at him askance.

   More examples (1)

   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.

   Both […] were viewed askance by authority.

   More examples (2)

   My palfrey eyed them askance.

   Even the Democrat voters that might look askance at a Green Party candidate, I want you guys to consider this.

2. Obliquely, sideways.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Synonyms

   asquint

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   [S]he caſt her dewed eyes aſ kance, / And ſpying me, gan rovvſe her heauie head, / And praide me pen her ſad and heauie chance, / And ſhe recounted it that preſent ſted, […]

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

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

Adjective

1. Turned to the side, especially of the eyes.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

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

Verb

1. To look at (someone or something) with a sideways glance.

   Usage

   • Rare
   • Transitive

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   Bowed heads, Aunt Ellen's, Aunt Laura's, her sister's — bowed but askancing her yellow dress — yes, yellow, golden yellow, hue of sun and life, Dad's favorite, to see him off on this, his greatest journey.

   "My dear sir," said Hube in an authoritative manner to the receptionist askancing Thales, "first of all, we aren't tourists. Secondly, this isn't a rat, this is the present embodiment of the spiritual leader of millions of people in India […]

2. To turn (one's eye or gaze) to the side.

   Usage

   • Rare
   • Transitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   The pope askanced his eye at Michael with displeasure, and after a short pause saluted him, " Instead of your coming to us, you seem to have expected that we should attend upon you."

Adjective

1. (used especially of glances) directed to one side with or as if with doubt or suspicion or envy

   Synonyms

   askantasquintsquintsquint-eyedsquintysidelong

   Examples

   sidelong glances

Adverb

1. with suspicion or disapproval

   Examples

   he looked askance at the offer

2. with a side or oblique glance

   Examples

   did not quite turn all the way back but looked askance at me with her dark eyes