pique
Noun:
- A feeling of irritation or resentment arising from wounded pride: A state of being offended or annoyed, often due to a perceived slight or insult.
- A tightly woven fabric with a distinctive ribbed or corded pattern: A type of textile, often used in formalwear like tuxedo shirts.
Verb:
- To cause a feeling of irritation, resentment, or wounded pride: To provoke or stimulate a mild anger or annoyance, often by hurting someone's self-esteem.
- To arouse or stimulate (interest, curiosity, etc.): To excite or provoke a particular feeling or reaction.
Noun (feeling): She left the party in a fit of pique after not being acknowledged. His comment was born out of pique, not genuine criticism.
Noun (fabric): The formal shirt was made of fine cotton pique. Pique is often characterized by its raised parallel cords or geometric patterns.
Verb (to cause resentment): His arrogant tone piqued several members of the audience. She was piqued by their decision to proceed without consulting her.
Verb (to arouse interest): The mysterious headline piqued my curiosity. The lecture was designed to pique the students' interest in astrophysics.
"To be in a pique": To be in a state of wounded pride or petty annoyance. He's been in a pique all day because his idea was rejected.
"To pique oneself on/upon something": (Archaic) To pride oneself on something; to feel a sense of self-satisfaction regarding a skill or attribute. He piqued himself on his impeccable manners.
- Piquancy (n): A pleasantly sharp or stimulating quality (often of taste or interest).
- Piquant (adj): Having a pleasantly sharp or stimulating taste; interestingly provocative.
- Noun (feeling): Irritation, resentment, annoyance, umbrage, displeasure.
- Verb (to cause resentment): Irritate, annoy, offend, nettle, provoke.
- Verb (to arouse): Stimulate, excite, arouse, whet, kindle.
- Fit of pique: A sudden, brief period of anger or annoyance.
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a sudden outburst of anger
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his temper sparked like damp firewood
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tightly woven fabric with raised cords
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cause to feel resentment or indignation
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Her tactless remark offended me
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