askance

Definition

With disapproval, skepticism, or suspicion.

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

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