piqu

a. [ F., p. pr. of piquer to prick or sting. See Pike. ] Stimulating to the taste; giving zest; tart; sharp; pungent; as, a piquant anecdote. “As piquant to the tongue as salt.” Addison. “Piquant railleries.” Gov. of Tongue. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a piquant manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., fr. piquer. See Pike. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Men take up piques and displeasures. Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

Wars had arisen . . . upon a personal pique. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Keenly felt desire; a longing. [ 1913 Webster ]

Though it have the pique, and long,
'Tis still for something in the wrong. Hudibras. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Card Playing) In piquet, the right of the elder hand to count thirty in hand, or to play before the adversary counts one. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To cause annoyance or irritation. “Every verse hath something in it that piques.” Tatler. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The jigger. See Jigger. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Piqued p. pr. & vb. n. Piquing ] [ F. piquer. See Pike. ] 1. To wound the pride of; to sting; to nettle; to irritate; to fret; to offend; to excite to anger. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pique her, and soothe in turn. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To excite to action by causing resentment or jealousy; to stimulate; to prick; as, to pique ambition, or curiosity. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To pride or value; -- used reflexively. [ 1913 Webster ]

Men . . . pique themselves upon their skill. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To offend; displease; irritate; provoke; fret; nettle; sting; goad; stimulate. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. See Pickeer. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]