We have learned about lines and the angles when they meet specific criteria like acute angle, obtuse angle, right angles, etc. An oblique line is neither perpendicular nor parallel. They are just two lines at a slant with each other. But if we say Person A referred to Person B ‘ Obliquely,’ it means he indirectly referred to him. Then there are the obliques that are the muscles located on the sides of the abdomen.
Looking askance means to look sideways. It can also be used to describe suspicious or disapproving looks. The Goans looked askance at the tourists littering the beaches during New Year’s Eve. Many Middle Eastern countries continue to look askance at the notions of democracy and secularism.
Some other similar words are askew, which means obliquely or turned towards one side – the pictures were hanging askew after gusts of wind blew in through the open windows, which means the painting got tilted and is probably hanging from one corner.
A picture that went askew corrected
Awry, which means uneven or improper, as in, his plans (or investments) went awry or how safety precautions are taken if something goes awry. Awry comes from the same root as wriggle (twist the body) and wry, which earlier meant to twist or turn oblique but is now more commonly used in the sense of ironic or obliquely humorous (as in, a wry remark)—as in the rat wriggled itself out of the rat trap. Chandler from F.R.I.E.N.D.S has a wry sense of humor.
Cosmetic surgery went awry
A worm wriggling out of an apple.
Bias and unbiased also come from a Greek root meaning slanted or oblique. Like we might say, the dice in the snake and ladder game was biased; hence she won. Or we could say The Jury was unbiased in reaching a verdict.
An Indian newspaper that tries to be unbiased.
Tabular Summary:
| Prefix | Word | Suffix | Meaning |
| oblique | neither parallel nor at right angles to a specified or implied line; slanting | ||
| ask | ance | with an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval | |
| ask | ew | not in a straight or level position. | |
| wriggle | twist and turn | ||
| a | wry | away from the usual or expected course | |
| wry | using or expressing dry, especially mocking humor | ||
| bias | ed | unfairly prejudiced for or against someone or something | |
| un | bias | ed | impartial. |
Quiz:
Crossword:
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