Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Pique
‖
Piˊqué′
,Noun.
[F., p. p. of
piquer
to prick.] A cotton fabric, figured in the loom, – used as a dress goods for women and children, and for vestings, etc.
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
’Tis still for something in the wrong.
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.
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. 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 curiosityPrior.
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
,Verb.
I.
To cause annoyance or irritation.
“Every verse hath something in it that piques.” Tatler.
Webster 1828 Edition
Pique
PIQUE
,Noun.
Out of personal pique to those in service, he stands as a looker on, when the government is attacked.
1.
A strong passion.2.
Point; nicety; punctilio. Add long prescription of established laws,
And pique of honor to maintain a cause.
PIQUE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To offend; to nettle; to irritate; to sting; to fret; to excite a degree of anger. It expresses less than exasperate. The lady was piqued by her indifference.
2.
To stimulate; to excite to action; to touch with envy; jealousy or other passion. Piqu'd by Protogenes'fame,
From Co to Rhodes Apelles came--
3.
With the reciprocal pronoun, to pride or value one's self. Men pique themselves on their skill in the learned languages.