askant, adv.
(əˈskænt)
Forms: 7 ascant, a-skaunt, 7–9 askaunt, 8– askant.
[apparently a later variant of askance q.v., with termination assimilated to asquint or aslant.]
1. = askance 1.
| 1695 Blackmore Pr. Arth. ii. 461 Man's Soul, by this rude Shock from 's Center driv'n, Stands so a-skaunt. 1795 Southey Joan of Arc x. 98 Whether this public zeal hath look'd askaunt To private ends. 1873 Dixon Two Queens I. i. v. 36 His mouth was big; his left eye turned askant. |
2. = askance 2.
| 1633 P. Fletcher Purple Isl. xii. lxxx, On which if Envie might but glance ascant, Her eyes would swell and burst. 1761 Brit. Mag. II. 133 All parties concur in looking askant upon turn-coats. 1880 Mrs. Parr Adam & Eve II. 149 They looked askant on innovation and hated change. |
3. = askance 3.
| 1791 Cowper Iliad xi. 657 With an eye askant, Watchful retreated. |
¶ In the following passage from Shaksepeare, in which it appears as a prep., the folios read aslant.
| 1602 Shakes. Ham. (Qq.) iv. vii. 167 There is a willow grows ascaunt the brook. |