Library / English Dictionary

PIQUE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Tightly woven fabric with raised cords

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("pique" is a kind of...):

cloth; fabric; material; textile (artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A sudden outburst of anger

Example:

his temper sparked like damp firewood

Synonyms:

irritation; pique; temper

Classified under:

Nouns denoting feelings and emotions

Hypernyms ("pique" is a kind of...):

annoyance; chafe; vexation (anger produced by some annoying irritation)

Derivation:

pique (cause to feel resentment or indignation)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Cause to feel resentment or indignation

Example:

Her tactless remark offended me

Synonyms:

offend; pique

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Hypernyms (to "pique" is one way to...):

anger (make angry)

Cause:

resent (feel bitter or indignant about)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The performance is likely to pique Sue

Derivation:

pique (a sudden outburst of anger)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Ashamed of his momentary pique, Laurie squeezed the kind little hand, and said frankly, I'm the one to be forgiven.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Well then, sir, have the goodness to gratify my curiosity, which is much piqued on one point.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Everything went on smoothly till the day before the fair opened, then there occurred one of the little skirmishes which it is almost impossible to avoid, when some five-and-twenty women, old and young, with all their private piques and prejudices, try to work together.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Leaving superiority out of the question, then, you must still agree to receive my orders now and then, without being piqued or hurt by the tone of command.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)