/pi kay", pee-/ ; Fr. /pee kay"/ , n. , pl. piqués /-kayz"/ ; Fr. /-kay"/ for 2, adj.
n.
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.
adj.
4. (of glove seams and gloves) stitched through lapping edges.
5. decorated with inlay: a piqué box.
Also, pique .
[ 1830-40; piquer to quilt, prick; see PIQUE 1 ]