asklentadv.prep.

Etymology: Probably either (i) < a- prefix³ + sklent n., perhaps as a reduced form of on sklent (compare a prep.¹, on prep., and earlier on slent at slent n.¹ 2), or (ii) < a- prefix⁴ + sklent n., perhaps as a reduced form of of sklent (compare a prep.², of prep.). Compare earlier aslant adv., slent n.¹, a-slet adv.In quot. a1540 at sense A. apparently interpreted as showing either a prep.¹ or a prep.² The prepositional phrases on sklent and of sklent are both attested in Scots in senses of this adverb in the 16th cent.; compare:1597 G. Buchanan Comm. Virgil Georgics iv. l. 298 in Trans. Edinb. Bibliogr. Soc. (1957) 3 281/1 Obliqua luce, oblique lucem recipientes (ressaivs licht of sklent).1599 A. Hume Epist. to G. Montcrieff in Hymnes sig. H3^v A lord, ane earle..will come to their intent, Howbeit there cause it be sum deill on sklent.The β. forms probably show remodelling after aslant adv. The resemblance is perhaps purely coincidental to Anglo-Norman esclent, variant of (or perhaps error for) esclenk, esclenc slanting, twisted (13th cent. in en esclent, en esclenc in senses ‘obliquely, aslant, sideways’; also in 13th cent. with allusion to the eyes; compare Old French en eslinc and Middle French a eslinc in this sense), apparently a specific sense development of Old French, Middle French esclenc (of the hand or arm) left.