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#124216 02/29/04 10:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
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wwh Offline OP
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"I should not like to get into that man's clutches," said I, as my superior rejoined me; "he has a way of making one appear so small."

Mr. Gryce shot an askancelook at his shadow gloomily following him along the pavement.

(I have seen that look so many times, I did not need to look it up. But I still wonder how it originated.)


askance [ə'skæns], askant [ə'skænt]
adverb(ial)
1 with an oblique glance

2 with doubt or mistrust
[ETYMOLOGY: 16th Century: of unknown origin]




#124217 03/03/04 09:01 AM
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Don't remember having seen it as an adjective before, only an adverb, as in "He looked askance at the yelling children at the next table."

Bingley


Bingley

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