Pique
/piːk/noun
A feeling of resentment or wounded pride; also, to stimulate interest or curiosity.
Did you know?English pique comes through French from a Germanic root meaning “to prick” or “to sting,” which is why the word can mean both irritation and aroused curiosity.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*pīkaną
“to prick, peck, or sting”
Old French
OF
piquer
“to prick, stab, or spur”
Middle French
MF
pique
“a prick, a jab; resentment or offended feeling”
17th Century
English
pique
“a fit of resentment or wounded pride”
Modern English
English
pique
“resentment, irritation, or stimulated curiosity”