pique definition | Dictionary.com

pique

1 [peek]

verb, piqued, piqu⋅ing, noun

–verb (used with object)

1.	to affect with sharp irritation and resentment, esp. 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 fol. by on or upon).

–verb (used without object)

6.	to arouse pique in someone: an action that piqued when it was meant to soothe.

–noun

7.	a feeling of irritation or resentment, as from a wound to pride or self-esteem: to be in a pique.

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

Origin:
1525–35; < MF pique (n.), piquer (v.) < VL *piccare to pick ¹ ; see pickax, pike ² , piqué

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

Antonyms:
1. please. 2. compliment.

pique

2 [peek]

–noun Piquet.

pic ² .

pi⋅que

3 [pi-key, pee-]

–noun, adjective

piqué.

pi⋅qué

[pi-key, pee-; Fr. pee-key]

noun, plural -qués [-keyz; Fr. -key]

for 2, adjective

–noun

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

4.	(of glove seams and gloves) stitched through lapping edges.

5.	decorated with inlay: a piqué box.

Also, pique.

Origin:
1830–40; < F, ptp. of piquer to quilt, prick; see pique ¹

pic

2 [peek]

–noun Piquet.

1.	the scoring of 30 points in the declaration of hands and in the play before one's opponent scores a point.

2.	the bonus of 30 points won for so scoring.

Also, pique.

Compare repic.

Origin:
< F: lit., prick

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To pique

pique (pēk)

n. A state of vexation caused by a perceived slight or indignity; a feeling of wounded pride.
tr.v. piqued, piqu·ing, piques

To cause to feel resentment or indignation.
To provoke; arouse: The portrait piqued her curiosity.
To pride (oneself): He piqued himself on his stylish attire.

[French, a prick, irritation, from Old French, from piquer, to prick, from Vulgar Latin *piccāre, ultimately of imitative origin.]

pi·qué (pĭ-kā', pē-)

n. A tightly woven fabric with various raised patterns, produced especially by a double warp.

[French, past participle of piquer, to quilt, from Old French, to backstitch, prick; see pique.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Pique

Pique\, n. (Zo["o]l.) The jigger. See Jigger.

Pique

Pique\, n. [F., fr. piquer. See Pike.]

1. A feeling of hurt, vexation, or resentment, awakened by a social slight or injury; irritation of the feelings, as through wounded pride; stinging vexation.

Men take up piques and displeasures. --Dr. H. More.

Wars had arisen . . . upon a personal pique. --De Quincey.

2. Keenly felt desire; a longing.

Though it have the pique, and long, 'Tis still for something in the wrong. --Hudibras.

3. (Card Playing) In piquet, the right of the elder hand to count thirty in hand, or to play before the adversary counts one.

Syn: Displeasure; irritation; grudge; spite.

Usage: Pique, Spite, Grudge. Pique denotes a quick and often transient sense of resentment for some supposed neglect or injury, but it is not marked by malevolence. Spite is a stronger term, denoting settled ill will or malice, with a desire to injure, as the result of extreme irritation. Grudge goes still further, denoting cherished and secret enmity, with an unforgiving spirit. A pique is usually of recent date; a grudge is that which has long subsisted; spite implies a disposition to cross or vex others.

Pique

Pique\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Piqued; p. pr. & vb. n. Piquing.] [F. piquer. See Pike.]

1. To wound the pride of; to sting; to nettle; to irritate; to fret; to offend; to excite to anger.

Pique her, and soothe in turn. --Byron.

2. To excite to action by causing resentment or jealousy; to stimulate; to prick; as, to pique ambition, or curiosity. --Prior.

3. To pride or value; -- used reflexively.

Men . . . pique themselves upon their skill. --Locke.

Syn: To offend; displease; irritate; provoke; fret; nettle; sting; goad; stimulate.

Pique

Pique\, v. i. To cause annoyance or irritation. "Every ?erse hath something in it that piques." --Tatler.

Language Translation for : pique

Spanish: resentimiento, despecho,

German: der Groll,

Japanese: 立腹

More Translations »

pique (n.)

1532, "fit of ill feeling," from M.Fr. pique "a prick, sting, irritation," from O.Fr. (see pike (2)). The verb, in the sense of "to excite to anger" is attested from 1671.

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