adv. and prep. Forms: 3–5 o-slant(e, 3–4 on-slent, on-slont, aslante, 5 aslent, 8 aslaunt, 6– aslant. [f. ON (see A prep.1) + SLANT.] A. adv.
1. On the slant, in a slanting or sloping direction, obliquely.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 6200. O-slant [v.r. on-slent, on-slont] fra þar þai ware.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. clxxvii. (1495), 718. In vynes the kyttynge shall be aslante.
c. 1440. Morte Arth., 2254. O-slante doune fro þe slote he slyttes.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 6. A-cyde … a-slet, or a-slonte, Oblique.
1677. Moxon, Mech. Exerc. (1703), 208. You must not hold the Blade … parallel to the Pikes, but aslant.
1781. Cowper, Truth, 239. Blown all aslant, a driving, dashing rain.
1878. R. Jefferies, Gamekeeper at H., 113. The shot, if it comes aslant, will glance off.
2. elliptically, quasi-adj. Slanting, oblique.
1790. Cowper, Odyss., IX. 435. He … fell resupine With his huge neck aslant.
1814. Southey, Roderick, III. Wks. IX. 21. And with ray aslant … illumed the branchless pines.
3. Comb. aslantwise: aslant.
1852. Hawthorne, Blithed. Rom., II. xiv. 253. The moon … shone aslantwise over the river.
B. prep. Across in a slanting direction, athwart.
1602. Shaks., Ham., IV. vii. 167. There is a Willow growes aslant a Brooke.
1677. Moxon, Mech. Exerc. (1703), 204. The edge of the Chissel … lying aslant the Work.
1854. H. Miller, Sch. & Schm. (1858), 438. It sailed aslant our line of buoys.
1877. Page, De Quincey, II. xix. 176. To run somewhat aslant the ordinary conventionalities of life.
