Piqued

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /piːkt/

Definitions

1. Having one's interest or curiosity sharply aroused ; experiencing a feeling of irritation or resentment
2. When attention is caught or curiosity is sparked ; feeling slighted or annoyed by a perceived insult
3. Experiencing a sudden surge of interest ; showing displeasure from a wound to one's pride or feelings

Etymology: The verb "piqued" comes from French "piquer," meaning "to prick" or "to sting," which passed into English as a borrowed verb. Its earliest sense was physical: something that pierces or stings. The sense of being wounded in one's feelings grew out of that image, so a person who is piqued has been, in effect, pricked. The French verb also carried the meaning "to anger or annoy," which is why English picked up the emotional sense so readily. The surprise lies deeper in the family tree. Scholars suggest the French verb may trace back to a Frankish word "*pikkōn," meaning "to knock, peck, or pick," in which case "pique" is a doublet of the English words "pick," "pitch," and "peck." Those are all forms of one ancient sound-image of a sharp little blow. The alternative explanation is that the French verb was simply imitative of a jab, so the link to "pick" remains uncertain.

Synonyms: angered, irritated, offended

Antonyms: calmed, soothed