Etymology: < askance adv.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps a specific sense development of askances adv. (compare β. forms at askances conj. and adv.), perhaps arising by association with askoy adv. or asquint adv., both of which are attested earlier in similar senses and constructions. Compare also askant adv., askew adv., asklent adv., askile adv., squin adj.¹, although the nature of the relationship between these words is uncertain and disputed. Compare also later scance v.², scance n., skance adj.It has alternatively been suggested that this word may derive from a postulated Anglo-Norman or Old French adverbial phrase *as cans , *as canz in the sense ‘along the corners, sideways, obliquely’ ( < Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French as , contracted form of both en les in the, on the (plural) and a les at the, in the, to the, etc. (plural; French aux ) + the plural of cant , chant edge, corner, angle: see cant n.¹), although evidence for this phrase appears to be lacking.