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”).
1
Of a look or glance With disapproval, skepticism, or suspicion.
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.1932, Clark Ashton Smith, The Maker of Gargoyles:
3 more examples
Both […] were viewed askance by authority.1875, William Ewart Gladstone, The Church of England and Ritualism:
My palfrey eyed them askance.1828, Walter Savage Landor, Imaginary Conversations, volume III, Lord Brooke and Sir Philip Sidney:
Even the Democrat voters that might look askance at a Green Party candidate, I want you guys to consider this.2026 April 22, Nathan J. Robinson, Butch Ware, “The Green Party’s Butch Ware: “I Love a Good Fight””, in Current Affairs, archived from the original on 23 Apr 2026:
2
Sideways; obliquely.
I glanced askance at this strange creature, and found him watching me with his queer, restless eyes.1896, H. G. Wells, chapter 8, in The Island of Doctor Moreau:
...the head-stones in the grave-yard beneath seemed to be holding themselves askance to keep it out of their faces.1878, Henry James, chapter 1, in The Europeans:
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”).
1
Turned to the side, especially of the eyes.
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the working of his lie1855, Robert Browning, Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came:
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”).
1
Rare To look at (someone or something) with a sideways glance.
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.1953, Lowry Charles Wimberly, Prairie Schooner, volume 27, page 406:
"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 […]1997, Tibor Fischer, The Thought Gang, page 185:
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."1826, William Hone, The Every Day Book, Or, A Guide to the Year: