askance means turned to the side, especially of the eyes. Lexicurio rates it Distinctive — a strength score of 68 out of 100.
askance is pronounced /əˈskæns/.
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”).
adj
- 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 lie”
adv
- With disapproval, skepticism, or suspicion.“The beggar asked for change, but the haughty woman only looked at him askance.”
- Sideways; obliquely.“I glanced askance at this strange creature, and found him watching me with his queer, restless eyes.”
verb
- 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.”
- To turn (one's eye or gaze) to the side.“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."”