ASH-WEDNESDAY, ash-wenz'd[=a], _n._ the first day of Lent, so called from
the Roman Catholic custom of sprinkling ashes on the head.
ASIAN, [=a]zh'yan, or [=a]sh'i-an, ASIATIC, [=a]-zhi-at'ik, or
[=a]sh-i-at'ik, _adj._ belonging to Asia: florid in literature or
art.--_n._ ASIAT'ICISM, imitation of Asiatic or Eastern manners.
ASIDE, a-s[=i]d', _adv._ on or to one side: privately: apart.--_n._ words
spoken in an undertone, so as not to be heard by some person present, words
spoken by an actor which the other persons on the stage are supposed not to
hear: an indirect effort of any kind.--_adj._ private, apart.--TO SET
ASIDE, to quash (a judgment).
ASINEGO, as-i-n[=e]'go, _n._ (_Shak._) a stupid fellow.--Also ASINI'CO.
[Sp. _asnico_--dim. of _asno_, L. _asinus_, ass.]
ASININE, as'in-[=i]n, _adj._ of or like an ass.--_n._ ASININ'ITY. [See
ASS.]
ASK, ask, _v.t._ to seek: to request, inquire, beg, question,
invite.--_v.i._ to request: to make inquiry (with _about_ and _for_--as to
ask one _after_ or _for_ another). [A.S. _áscian_, _ácsian_; Ger.
_heischen_, Ice. _æskja_, Sans. _esh_, to desire.]
ASKANCE, a-skans', ASKANT, a-skant', _adv._ sideways: awry: obliquely: with
a side glance, or with a side meaning.--_v.t._ (_Shak._) to turn aside.--TO
EYE, LOOK, or VIEW ASKANCE, to look at with suspicion. [Ety. very obscure;
perh. conn. with It. _a schiáncio_, slopingly, or with Ice. _á-ská_, as in
ASKEW.]