v. 1 call for an answer to or about (ask her about it: ask him his name). 2 seek to obtain from someone (ask a favour of). 3 (usu. foil. by out. in, or over, or to (a function etc.)) invite (must ask them over: asked her to dinner). 4 (foil by for) seek to obtain. meet. or be directed to (ask for help: asking for you: ask for the bar). = ask after inquire about (esp. a person). ask for it slang invite trouble. [Old English] askance a’skaens adv. sideways or squinting. 2 look askance at regard suspiciously. [origin unknown] askew a’skju: adv. awry, crookedly. predic. adj. oblique: awry.
