/ piːk; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
[ U ] ( formal ) annoyed or bitter feelings that you have, usually because your pride has been hurt :
When he realized nobody was listening to him, he left in a fit of pique .
■ verb
[ vn ] ( formal ) to make sb annoyed or upset
SYN wound
► piqued adjective [ not before noun ]:
She couldn't help feeling a little piqued by his lack of interest.
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IDIOMS
- pique sb's interest, curiosity, etc.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (denoting animosity between two or more people): from French piquer prick, irritate.