askance Look up askance at Dictionary.com
1520s, "sideways, asquint," of obscure origin; perhaps a variant of askew. Other theories that have been put forth include an origin from M.E. ase "as" + O.Fr. quanses "how if," from L. quam "how" + si "if." Or from O.Fr. a escone, from pp. of a word for "hidden." Or from It. a scancio "obliquely, slantingly."