Josiah
Senior Member
- Location
- 50 miles east of Cincinnati, OH
pique
[peek]
verb (used with object), piqued, piquing.
1. to affect with sharp irritation and resentment, especially by some wound to pride:
She was greatly piqued when they refused her invitation.
2. to wound (the pride, vanity, etc.).
3. to excite (interest, curiosity, etc.):
Her curiosity was piqued by the gossip.
4. to arouse an emotion or provoke to action:
to pique someone to answer a challenge.
5. to arouse pique in someone:
an action that piqued when it was meant to soothe.
noun
6. a feeling of irritation or resentment, as from a wound to pride or self-esteem:
to be in a pique.
I'm most familiar with meanings 1. and 3.
[peek]
verb (used with object), piqued, piquing.
1. to affect with sharp irritation and resentment, especially by some wound to pride:
She was greatly piqued when they refused her invitation.
2. to wound (the pride, vanity, etc.).
3. to excite (interest, curiosity, etc.):
Her curiosity was piqued by the gossip.
4. to arouse an emotion or provoke to action:
to pique someone to answer a challenge.
5. to arouse pique in someone:
an action that piqued when it was meant to soothe.
noun
6. a feeling of irritation or resentment, as from a wound to pride or self-esteem:
to be in a pique.
I'm most familiar with meanings 1. and 3.
