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pique1

[peek]
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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.
  2. to wound (the pride, vanity, etc.).
  3. to excite (interest, curiosity, etc.): Her curiosity was piqued by the gossip.
  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).
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verb (used without object), piqued, piqu·ing.
  1. to arouse pique in someone: an action that piqued when it was meant to soothe.
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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.
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Origin of pique1

1525–35; < Middle French pique (noun), piquer (v.) < Vulgar Latin *piccare to pick1; see pickax, pike2, piqué
Related formsun·piqued, adjective
Can be confusedpeak peek pique piqué

Synonyms

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1. offend, sting, nettle, vex, irritate, chafe. 2. affront. 3. stimulate, stir, prick, incite, goad.

Antonyms

1. please. 2. compliment.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for piqued

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • The Little Doctor, puzzled as well as piqued, went straight to the point.

  • The words, of her age, piqued me; and I spared no pains to make him forget them.

  • And Speranza was at first puzzled, then piqued, then himself madly fascinated.

    The Portygee

    Joseph Crosby Lincoln

  • It was rather their action as a unit which piqued his interest.

    The Market-Place

    Harold Frederic

  • Are you piqued with me for anything that occurred this morning?

    Barrington

    Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for piqued

pique1

noun
  1. a feeling of resentment or irritation, as from having one's pride wounded
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verb piques, piquing or piqued (tr)
  1. to cause to feel resentment or irritation
  2. to excite or arouse
  3. (foll by on or upon) to pride or congratulate (oneself)
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Word Origin

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

pique2

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
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verb
  1. to score a pique (against)
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Word Origin

C17: from French pic, of uncertain origin

piqué

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

C19: from French piqué pricked, from piquer to prick
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for piqued

pique

n.

1530s, "fit of ill feeling," from Middle French pique "a prick, sting, irritation," noun of action from piquer (see pike (n.2)).

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pique

v.

"to excite to anger," 1670s, from French piquer "to prick, sting" (see pike (n.2)). Softened meaning "to stimulate, excite" is from 1690s. Related: Piqued; piquing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper