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asquint

[uh-skwint]
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adverb, adjective
  1. with an oblique glance or squint; askance; slyly; dubiously.
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Origin of asquint

1200–50; Middle English, equivalent to a- a-1 + squint, of uncertain origin
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for asquint

Historical Examples

  • But I know that Providence looketh not asquint, but looketh straight out, and through all men's darkness.

    Letters of Samuel Rutherford

    Samuel Rutherford

  • He,' indicating the sun, 'can only get at me asquint by that time, and I'm a match for him with my blue umbrella.

British Dictionary definitions for asquint

asquint

adverb, adjective
  1. (postpositive) with a glance from the corner of the eye, esp a furtive one
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Word Origin

C13: perhaps from Dutch schuinte slant, of obscure origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for asquint

adv.

early 13c., "obliquely, with a sidelong glance," of uncertain etymology; from a- (1) + "a word corresponding to Du. schuinte 'slope, slant' of the independent use of which no instances survive ..." [OED]. "Middle English Dictionary" compares French équinter "cut to a point;" French dialectal (e)squintar "cast a glance, look furtively."

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper