glancing

[glan-sing, glahn-]

adjective

1. striking obliquely and bouncing off at an angle.

   a glancing blow.

2. brief and indirect.

   glancing references to his dubious past.

Other Word Forms

• glancingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of glancing¹

First recorded in 1485–95; glance ¹ + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Ma holds my gaze for a beat before glancing at the empty hand-me-down suitcase.

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As they walked, she kept glancing over her shoulder at the golden spire of the Admiralty.

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“Oh, how I dislike arriving in strange places all alone! It is enough to make one forget who one is. I keep glancing in my pocket mirror for reassurance.”

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“If you wish,” Penelope replied, glancing at Lady Constance.

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She kept glancing up at the moon, and thinking of Lord Fredrick and his odd behavior.

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Related Words

• cursory 
• fleeting 
• superficial