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Askance vs Asking - What's the difference?

askance | asking |

As an adverb askance

is with disapproval, skepticism, or suspicion.

As an adjective askance

is turned to the side, especially of the eyes.

As a verb asking is

present participle of lang=en.

As a noun asking is

the act or process of posing a question or making a request.

askance

English

Alternative forms

* askaunce (obsolete)

Adverb

(-)
  • (of a look or glance) With disapproval, skepticism, or suspicion.
    • The beggar asked for change, but the haughty woman only looked at him askance .
  • * 1932 —
    • The scandal of opposition died down, and the stone-carver himself, though the town-folk continued to eye him askance , was able to secure other work through the favor of discriminating patrons.
  • * Gladstone
    • Both were viewed askance by authority.
  • * Landor
    • My palfrey eyed them askance .
  • Sideways; obliquely.
  • * 1896 — , chapter 8
    • I glanced askance at this strange creature, and found him watching me with his queer, restless eyes.
  • * 1878 — , chapter 1
    • ...the head-stones in the grave-yard beneath seemed to be holding themselves askance to keep it out of their faces.

    Synonyms

    * skeptically, suspiciously * obliquely, sideways

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Turned to the side, especially of the eyes.
  • * 1855 —
    • My first thought was, he lied in every word,
    That hoary cripple, with malicious eye
    Askance to watch the working of his lie

    Synonyms

    * (turned to the side) oblique, sideways

    asking

    English

    Verb

    (head)

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act or process of posing a question or making a request.
    • His asking was greeted with silence.
  • (Rare in the singular) A request, or petition.
  • * 2005 , The Woman's Book of Resilience: 12 Qualities to Cultivate , by Beth Miller - Page 125
  • * After many askings, pleadings, and episodes, all leading to nothing, she finally slumped down at the side of a well in a village where she was unknown.

    • Usage notes

    * Normally found in plural, or in set phrases such as for the asking .

    Anagrams

    *