I. ˈpēk noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French, from piquer
1. archaic : mutual animosity : a state of strife
2. : offense taken by one slighted or disdained : vexation or anger excited by a wound to one's vanity : a fit of resentment
go off in a pique
Synonyms: see offense
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: French piquer to prick, sting, nettle, pique — more at pike
transitive verb
1. : to arouse anger or resentment in : nettle , irritate
the Swiss will be piqued at the United States because of the higher tariff — Wall Street Journal
specifically : to offend by slighting
pique her by his apparent indifference
2.
a. : to excite or arouse by a provocation, challenge, or rebuff
a possible coincidence, which piques one's curiosity — Johnson O'Connor
b. : to stimulate by wounding pride or inciting jealousy or rivalry
pique him to violent efforts
3. : to take pride in (oneself) : plume
piqued herself upon her mastery of … philosophy — L.P.Smith
intransitive verb
: to cause annoyance or irritation
Synonyms: see provoke
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: French pic, from Middle French, prick, sting, game of piquet, from piquer to prick, sting — more at pike
: the making of 30 points in hand and play in piquet before the other player scores ; also : the bonus of 30 points for this
IV. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to score a pique against in piquet
intransitive verb
: to make a pique in piquet
V. ˈpē(ˌ)kā noun
( -s )
Etymology: American Spanish, from Quechua píki
1. : chigger
2. : any of various ticks
VIII. ˈpēk
archaic
variant of peak