How is the word ‘askance’ pronounced?
(C.V. Geetha, Hyderabad)
The ‘a’ in the first syllable is like the ‘a’ in ‘china’, and the ‘a’ in the second sounds like the ‘a’ in ‘ant’, ‘pants’, and ‘hat’. The word is pronounced ‘es-CANS’ with the stress on the second syllable. It is also possible to pronounce the second ‘a’ like the ‘a’ in ‘park’, ‘dark’, and ‘stars’.
The word is normally used to talk about the kind of look that you give an individual. When you ‘look askance at someone’, you usually look at him with disapproval or distrust. In most cases, you don’t look at the person directly; you choose to glance at him sideways. The word can be used with things as well.
*Raju looked askance at her with his big eyes.
S. UPENDRAN
upendrankye@gmail.com
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Education Plus
