Word Direct Answers

What does "pique" mean?

Pique: 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.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Keenly felt desire; a longing. Though it have the pique, and long, 'Tis still for something in the wrong. Hudibras.
  2. 3.(Card Playing) In piquet, the right of the elder hand to count thirty in hand, or to play before the adversary counts one. 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.
  3. 4.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.
  4. 5.To excite to action by causing resentment or jealousy; to stimulate; to prick; as, to pique ambition, or curiosity. Prior.
  5. 6.To pride or value; -- used reflexively. Men . . . pique themselves upon their skill. Locke.
  6. 7.To cause annoyance or irritation. "Every piques." Tatler.

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