Pique Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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pique
[piːk ]
Definitions
interest awakening
To pique means to stimulate or provoke interest or curiosity in someone. It is often used when discussing feelings of intrigue that are aroused by something interesting or unexpected.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The novel's intriguing plot piqued my curiosity.
- Her presentation was designed to pique the audience's interest.
- The discovery of the ancient artifact piqued the archaeologists' excitement.
feelings of annoyance
Pique can also refer to a feeling of irritation or resentment, often as a result of perceived slight or insult. It is commonly used in contexts where someone feels offended or slighted.
Synonyms
irritation, offense, resentment.
Examples of usage
- He left in a fit of pique after being criticized.
- Her comment caused great pique among the group.
- The incident was forgotten quickly, but the pique lingered.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Origin of 'pique'
The word 'pique' is derived from the French word 'piquer', which means 'to prick' or 'to sting.' The usage of 'pique' to describe stimulating interest dates back to the late 19th century, where it transitioned from its more literal sense of provoking a physical reaction to a metaphorical sense of awakening curiosity. The evolution of the word is indicative of the ways emotions and physical sensations have been interconnected in language. Additionally, the noun form related to annoyance comes from the same French root, reflecting how feelings can be 'pricked' by others' words or actions. Over time, 'pique' has found its place in English literature, demonstrating the language's ability to adopt and adapt terms from other languages, enriching its expressive capacity.