Definitions for: Pique


[n] tightly woven fabric with raised cords
[n] a sudden outburst of anger; "his temper sparked like damp firewood"
[adj] of textiles; having parallel raised lines
[v] cause to feel resentment or indignation; "Her tactless remark offended me"



Webster (1913) Definition: Pique, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The jigger. See Jigger.


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

Synonyms: corded, irritation, offend, rough, temper, twill, twilled, unsmooth

See Also: anger, annoyance, chafe, cloth, fabric, material, resent, textile, vexation

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