pique
1[ peek ]
/ pik /
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verb (used with object), piqued, piqu·ing.
verb (used without object), piqued, piqu·ing.
to arouse pique in someone: an action that piqued when it was meant to soothe.
noun
a feeling of irritation or resentment, as from a wound to pride or self-esteem: to be in a pique.
Obsolete. a state of irritated feeling between persons.
SYNONYMS FOR pique
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Origin of pique
1OTHER WORDS FROM pique
un·piqued, adjectiveDefinition for pique (2 of 3)
Definition for pique (3 of 3)
piqué
[ pi-key, pee-; French pee-key ]
/ pɪˈkeɪ, pi-; French piˈkeɪ /
noun, plural pi·qués [pi-keyz, pee-; French pee-key] /pɪˈkeɪz, pi-; French piˈkeɪ/ for 2.
a fabric of cotton, spun rayon, or silk, woven lengthwise with raised cords.
Ballet. a step in which the dancer steps onto the tip of the toe without bending the knee.
ornamentation by means of punched or stippled patterns, sometimes inlaid with metal, ivory, tortoise shell, etc.
adjective
(of glove seams and gloves) stitched through lapping edges.
decorated with inlay: a piqué box.
Also pi·que [pi-key, pee-;] /pɪˈkeɪ, pi-;/ .
Origin of piqué
1830–40; <French, past participle of piquer “to quilt, prick”; see pique1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for pique
British Dictionary definitions for pique (1 of 3)
pique1
/ (piːk) /
noun
a feeling of resentment or irritation, as from having one's pride wounded
verb piques, piquing or piqued (tr)
to cause to feel resentment or irritation
to excite or arouse
(foll by on or upon) to pride or congratulate (oneself)
Word Origin for pique
C16: from French, from piquer to prick, sting; see pick 1
British Dictionary definitions for pique (2 of 3)
pique2
/ (piːk) piquet /
noun
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
to score a pique (against)
Word Origin for pique
C17: from French pic, of uncertain origin
British Dictionary definitions for pique (3 of 3)
piqué
/ (ˈpiːkeɪ) /
noun
a close-textured fabric of cotton, silk, or spun rayon woven with lengthwise ribs
Word Origin for piqué
C19: from French piqué pricked, from piquer to prick
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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