Pique her, and soothe in turn. --Byron.
2. To excite to action by causing resentment or jealousy; to
stimulate; to prick; as, to pique ambition, or curiosity.
--Prior.
3. To pride or value; -- used reflexively.
Men . . . pique themselves upon their skill.
--Locke.
Syn: To offend; displease; irritate; provoke; fret; nettle;
sting; goad; stimulate.
Men take up piques and displeasures. --Dr. H. More.
Wars had arisen . . . upon a personal pique. --De
Quincey.
2. Keenly felt desire; a longing.
Though it have the pique, and long, 'Tis still for
something in the wrong. --Hudibras.
3. (Card Playing) In piquet, the right of the elder hand to
count thirty in hand, or to play before the adversary
counts one.
Syn: Displeasure; irritation; grudge; spite.
Usage: {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.