pique

¹

[ peek ]

verb (used with object)

, piqued, piqu·ing.

1. to affect with sharp irritation and resentment, especially by some wound to pride:

   She was greatly piqued when they refused her invitation.

   Synonyms: chafe, irritate, vex, nettle, sting, offend

   Antonyms: please

2. to wound (the pride, vanity, etc.).

   Synonyms: affront

   Antonyms: compliment

3. to excite (interest, curiosity, etc.):

   Her curiosity was piqued by the gossip.

   Synonyms: goad, incite, prick, stir, stimulate

4. to arouse an emotion or provoke to action:

   to pique someone to answer a challenge.

5. Archaic. to pride (oneself) (usually followed by on or upon ).

verb (used without object)

, piqued, piqu·ing.

1. to arouse pique in someone:

   an action that piqued when it was meant to soothe.

noun

1. a feeling of irritation or resentment, as from a wound to pride or self-esteem:

   to be in a pique.

2. Obsolete. a state of irritated feeling between persons.

pique

²

[ peek ]

noun

, Piquet.

1. pic ².

piqué

³

[ pi-key, pee-; French pee-key ]

noun

, plural pi·qués [pi-, keyz, pee-, pee-, key]

1. a fabric of cotton, spun rayon, or silk, woven lengthwise with raised cords.
2. Ballet. a step in which the dancer steps onto the tip of the toe without bending the knee.
3. ornamentation by means of punched or stippled patterns, sometimes inlaid with metal, ivory, tortoise shell, etc.

adjective

1. (of glove seams and gloves) stitched through lapping edges.
2. decorated with inlay:

   a piqué box.

piqué

¹

/ ˈpiːkeɪ /

noun

1. a close-textured fabric of cotton, silk, or spun rayon woven with lengthwise ribs

pique

²

/ piːk /

noun

1. a feeling of resentment or irritation, as from having one's pride wounded

verb

1. to cause to feel resentment or irritation
2. to excite or arouse
3. foll byon or upon to pride or congratulate (oneself)

pique

³

/ piːk /

noun

1. a score of 30 points made by a player from a combination of cards held before play begins and from play while his opponent's score is nil

verb

1. to score a pique (against)

Word History and Origins

Origin of pique¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French pique (noun), piquer (verb), from Vulgar Latin piccare (unrecorded) “to pick”; pick ¹, pike ²

Origin of pique²

First recorded in 1830–40; from French, past participle of piquer “to quilt, prick”; pique ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pique¹

C19: from French piqué pricked, from piquer to prick

Origin of pique²

C16: from French, from piquer to prick, sting; see pick ¹

Origin of pique³

C17: from French pic, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

How much might such spirited competitions pique the interest of stateside TV audiences?

From The Daily Beast

He is a mild-mannered and generous guy, not the kind of person prone to fits of pique or rage.

From The Daily Beast

This loud display of pique lasted about a week before Fallin quietly reversed herself.

From The Daily Beast

But like the committee hearing, it was just a nasty show of pique.

From The Daily Beast

Except for a bit of petulance directed toward Stephanopoulos and a bit of pique directed at Huntsman, Romney maintained his cool.

From The Daily Beast

The Daily News, in referring to this, suggests that "peacock temper" was a misprint for "pique, or temper."

From Project Gutenberg

I fear my manner showed my pique a trifle, for I did not see her anywhere about when I left after breakfast.

From Project Gutenberg

Ellen Morris accepted an invitation to Petersburg, ere the angry pique, aroused by Lynn's reproaches, passed off.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of us, male and female, treated as Susan imagined herself treated, have taken another lover out of pique.

From Project Gutenberg

Kilmeny had been brought too near the grim realities to hold any petty pique.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• annoyance
• displeasure
• exasperation
• irritation