The spelling of the word "more sidelong" can be a bit confusing for some. The correct pronunciation is /mɔːr ˈsaɪdlɒŋ/ and it means to move or look sideways or obliquely. The word "sidelong" derives from the Old Norse term "síðlengr", meaning oblique or slanting. The addition of "more" intensifies the degree of the action. "More sidelong" can also be used to describe a glance or a look that is sly or indirect. Keep in mind that the spelling of this word requires careful attention to the placement of its consonants and vowels.
The term "more sidelong" consists of two parts - "more" and "sidelong." "More" is an adjective comparative form of "much," indicating a greater extent, intensity, or quantity of a particular quality. "Sidelong" is an adverb used to describe an action or gaze performed or directed towards the side or in a sideways manner.
When combined, "more sidelong" conveys a heightened sense of the sideways nature or inclination of an action, glance, or look. It suggests an increased degree of diversion from a straight or forward direction and implies a stronger sideways orientation than usual. This term emphasizes a swifter or more pronounced deviation from the norm in terms of orientation or perspective.
For example, in a sentence like "He threw a more sidelong glance at her," the use of "more sidelong" emphasizes that the person's look was not simply quick or casual but rather more deliberate and directed sideways. It highlights that the individual's gaze had a perceptible bending or turning towards the side, suggesting that it possibly carried a hidden meaning, curiosity, or intent.
In summary, "more sidelong" describes a heightened sideways inclination or angle in relation to an action, glance, or gaze, enhancing and accentuating the deviation from a straight or forward direction.
The phrase "more sidelong" does not have a distinct etymology because it is a combination of two separate words: "more" and "sidelong". However, we can explore the etymology of each individual word.
1. More: The word "more" originated from the Old English word "māra" which meant "greater" or "larger". It has roots in the Proto-Germanic language, and similar words can be found in other Germanic languages such as German "mehr" and Dutch "meer". The Old English word eventually evolved into the Middle English "more" and has remained relatively unchanged in modern English.
2. Sidelong: The word "sidelong" is a combination of the words "side" and "long". "Side" can be traced back to the Old English word "sīde" meaning "flank" or "border".