Pique

Pronunciation

• enPR: pÄ“k, IPA: /piːk/
• Homophones: peak, peek, peke
• Rhymes: -iːk

Middle French pique ("a prick, sting"), from Old French pic ("a sharp point").

Online Etymology Dictionary

Etymological twin to pike ("long pointed weapon").

Full definition of pique

Noun

1. A feeling of enmity between two entities; ill-feeling, animosity; a transient feeling of wounded pride.
• Dr. H. MoreMen take up piques and displeasures.
• De QuinceyWars had arisen ... upon a personal pique.
2. A feeling of irritation or resentment, awakened by a social slight or injury; offence, especially taken in an emotional sense with little thought or consideration.
• 1994, Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, Abacus 2010, p. 7:This defiance was not a fit of pique, but a matter of principle.
• Sweet Smell of Success (1957) screenplay by Clifford Odets and Ernest Lehman, starring Burt Lancaster as J.J. Hunsecker who says:You think this is a personal thing with me? Are you telling me I think of this in terms of a personal pique?
3. (obsolete) Keenly felt desire; a longing.
• HudibrasThough it have the pique, and long,
  'Tis still for something in the wrong.

Verb

1. (transitive) To wound the pride of; to sting; to nettle; to irritate; to fret; to excite to anger.
• 1913, D. H. Lawrence, ,She treated him indulgently, as if he were a child. He thought he did not mind. But deep below the surface it piqued him.
• ByronPique her and soothe in turn.
2. (reflexive) To take pride in; to pride oneself on.
• John LockeMen ... pique themselves upon their skill.
3. (transitive) To excite (someone) to action by causing resentment or jealousy; to stimulate (a feeling, emotion); to offend by slighting.I believe this will pique your interest.

From French pic.

Noun

1. In piquet, the right of the elder hand to count thirty in hand, or to play before the adversary counts one.

From Spanish pique, from Central Quechua piki.

Noun

1. A chigger or jigger, Tunga penetrans.

Pronunciation

From French piqué from past participle of French piquer ("to prick, quilt")

Noun

1. A durable ribbed fabric made from cotton, rayon, or silk.

Anagrams

• equip