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Askance: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿคจ
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askance

 

[ ษ™หˆskรฆns ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

suspicious manner

Askance means to look or regard someone or something with suspicion or distrust. When someone looks askance, they are often doubting or questioning what they see or hear.

Synonyms

disapprovingly, distrustfully, suspiciously

Examples of usage

  • She looked askance at his explanation.
  • The teacher regarded the student's excuse askance.
  • He cast an askance glance at the suspicious package.
Context #2 | Adverb

disapproval

In another context, askance can also imply a look of disapproval. This use is often associated with cultural norms or behaviors that may not be accepted.

Synonyms

cynically, disfavorably, skeptically

Examples of usage

  • The community looked askance at his unconventional lifestyle.
  • Parents sometimes view new trends askance at first.
  • She gave him an askance look when he proposed his plan.

Translations

Translations of the word "askance" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น de esguelha

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเค‚เคฆเฅ‡เคนเคชเฅ‚เคฐเฅเคตเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช misstrauisch

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ dengan curiga

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะท ะฝะตะดะพะฒั–ั€ะพัŽ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ z nieufnoล›ciฤ…

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็–‘ใ„ใฎ็›ฎใง

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท avec suspicion

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ con desconfianza

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ลŸรผpheyle

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์˜์‹ฌ์Šค๋Ÿฝ๊ฒŒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจุดูƒูˆูƒ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ s nedลฏvฤ›rou

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ s nedรดverou

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ€€็–‘ๅœฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ z nezaupanjem

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ me vantrausti

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบาฏะดั–ะบะฟะตะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒญแƒ”แƒจแƒ›แƒแƒ แƒ˜แƒขแƒแƒ“

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลŸรผbhษ™ ilษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ con desconfianza

Etymology

The word 'askance' comes from the Middle English word 'ascance', which meant 'to look aside'. The roots can be traced back to the Old French word 'escanser' meaning 'to look askew or sideways'. This reflects the idea of viewing something from a different angle, often associated with doubt or skepticism. Historically, 'askance' has been used to describe a sideways glance that signifies doubt or suspicion. Throughout the centuries, it has maintained a similar connotation, suggesting that one should be cautious or wary of what they are observing. As language evolved, so did the usage of 'askance', which often manifests in literary works and common speech as a way to express skepticism or disapproval, highlighting social and cultural attitudes towards various subjects.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,263, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.