askoyadv.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Originally (in α. forms) perhaps either (i) a variant of of squin at squin adj.¹ (showing reduction of the first element in unstressed position (compare a- prefix⁴) and Middle English variation between the spellings ui and oi in the second: compare discussion at oil n.¹ and see E. J. Dobson Eng. Pronunc. 1500–1700 (ed. 2, 1968) II. §252 note 2), or (ii) a variant of asquint adv., showing loss of the final dental and similar variation in the second element. In β. forms apparently showing loss of final -n , perhaps as a result of association either with askew adv. or with formations in -en suffix⁶. Compare askile adv., earlier squint adv., and later askew adv., and see discussion at these entries (and see also discussion of a larger group of words of similar form and meaning at askance adv.).It has alternatively been suggested that this word and asquint adv. may derive from a postulated Anglo-Norman or Old French adverbial phrase *as coins , *as cuins in the sense ‘obliquely, sideways’ ( < Anglo-Norman and Old French as , contracted form of both en les in the, on the (plural) and a les at the, in the, to the, etc. (plural; French aux ) + the plural of coin , cuin , coing corner, angle, wedge, coin: see coin n.), although this phrase does not appear to be attested and would not account easily for the final -t of the earlier adverb asquint adv. (see further discussion at that entry).