Definition of glance on

The phrase "glance on" is a phrasal verb that combines the words "glance" and "on." The origin of this expression can be traced back to the mid-1700s in English. The word "glance" derives from the Old Norse word "flankr" meaning "oblique view" or "sideways look." It entered the English language around the 1300s. In its original form, "glance" referred to the act of turning the head or eyes to look quickly and briefly at something. The word "on" has a long history in the English language, dating back to Old English times around the year 1000. In its early form, "on" had many meanings, including "upon," "at," "against," and "in the direction of." The phrase "glance on" is a combination of these two words and means "to look at briefly or peripherally." The "on" in this context suggests a certain direction or location, implying that the person glancing is looking at something which is in that direction or location. Although the exact circumstances of the first written use of "glance on" are not precisely known, the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) lists it as occurring for the first time around 1742. The phrase has remained in usage ever since, appearing frequently in literature, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries. In modern English, "glance on" is used commonly to convey quick, peripheral views or examinations of things or situations. The phrase has become such a common part of the language that it is incorporated into everyday conversation and writing, making it an essential part of the English lexicon.