pique1
/piːk
/noun [mass noun]
A feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight, especially to one’s pride: he left in a fit of pique...
- So I think senior colleagues made the wrong decision - but I can't say they made the decision in a fit of pique or envy.
- They left two-weeks ago after selling their house in a fit of pique over the fact that their grandchildren were not welcome in the complex's communal backyard.
- The president, apparently in a fit of pique, in October abruptly postpones a long-planned summit with Britain.
Synonyms
irritation, annoyance, resentment, anger, displeasure, indignation, temper, bad temper, wounded/hurt pride, wounded/hurt feelings, petulance, ill humour, peevishness, offence, umbrage, vexation, exasperation, disgruntlement, discontent, discontentment
verb (piques, piquing, piqued)
1 [with object] Arouse (interest or curiosity): with his scientific curiosity piqued, he was looking forward to being able to analyse his find...
- Curiosity piqued my harbored interest and I stole a glance at myself, to see what others saw of me.
- This piques my scientific curiosity and I make a mental note to ask my rather strange-looking hostess about it.
- Even those with only a passing interest in the subject matter should find something to pique their curiosity within.
Synonyms
stimulate, arouse, rouse, provoke, whet, awaken, excite, kindle, stir, spur, intrigue, galvanize
2 (be piqued) Feel irritated or resentful: she was piqued by his curtness...
- ‘Play it yourself then,’ said Liszt, rising from the piano, rather piqued.
- So eggheaded am I about much of what I watch, I was rather piqued that I couldn't have both sets of subtitles on the screen at the same time.
- ‘I can still ride okay,’ he said, sounding piqued.
Synonyms
irritate, annoy, bother, vex, provoke, displease, upset, offend, affront, anger, exasperate, infuriate, gall, irk, get someone's back up, disgruntle, nettle, needle, ruffle, get on someone's nerves, ruffle someone's feathers, make someone's hackles rise, rub up the wrong way
informal peeve, aggravate, miff, rile, get, get to, bug, get under someone's skin, get in someone's hair, get up someone's nose, hack off, get someone's goat, wind up
British informal nark, get on someone's wick, give someone the hump, get across
North American informal tick off, rankle, ride, gravel, bum out
New Zealand informal rark
vulgar slang piss off
rare exacerbate, hump, rasp
3 (pique oneself) archaic Pride oneself: men, who are thought to pique themselves upon their Wit...
- He piqued himself on being so with them more than with any one else.
- He piqued himself, indeed, upon his courtesy.
Origin
Mid 16th century (denoting animosity between two or more people): from French piquer 'prick, irritate'.
Rhymes
pique2
/piːk/noun
(In piquet) the scoring of 30 points on declarations and play before one’s opponent scores anything. Compare with repique.A player who scores 30 in declarations and play before his opponent scores anything gains a pique, which is worth 30 extra.
verb (piques, piquing, piqued) [with object]
Score a pique against (one’s opponent).
Origin
Mid 17th century: from French pic, from the Old French sense 'stabbing blow', of unknown ultimate origin.
piqué3
/ˈpiːkeɪ/noun [mass noun]
Stiff fabric, typically cotton, woven in a strongly ribbed or raised pattern: a white cotton piqué shirt...
- Bloomies' spring hats range from fun and practical (how about a red Lacoste rain hat or a pink cotton piqué cap?) to stylish straws and felts.
- Pink Lacoste or Ralph Lauren piqué polo shirts were probably the biggest sellers and they reflected the image of a distinguished and well-mannered preppy boy.
- Whether you're going to work or hitting hole-in-ones with your buddies, polo piqué T-shirts are where it's at.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from French, literally 'backstitched', past participle of piquer.