Standard Lemma guide

asquint

adj · adv · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /əˈskwɪnt/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɪnt

1

adj

Meaning 1

Looking sideways, as though warily.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • Eyes asquint, he saw she was driving much too fast.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

With narrowed eyes.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

(used especially of glances) directed to one side with or as if with doubt or suspicion or envy- Elizabeth Bowen

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • her eyes with their misted askance look
  • sidelong glances

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: askance, askant, squint, squint-eyed, squinty, sidelong

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Middle English asquint, asquynt, asqweynt, equivalent to a- (“on, at”) + a word related to Dutch schuinte (“tilt, slant, slope”), Saterland Frisian Schüünte (“slope, slant”), West Frisian skeante (“slope, slant”), German Low German Schüünte (“angle, slant, slope, pitch”). Compare also Middle English askoin, askoyn, of skwyn (“on a slant, askance”), Dutch schuin (“oblique, slanting, sloping”), West Frisian skean (“oblique, slanting, sloping”), German Low German schüün (“slanting”), Norwegian Nynorsk skeina (“to move obliquely”).