piquel (pek)

[F. pique, a point, pike: see pike1.] 1. A point or peak. [Rare.] I turned in my saddle and made its girths tight, Then shortened each stirrup, and set the pique right. Browning , From Ghent to Aix. 21. A point of conduct; punctilio. Add long prescriptions of established laws And pique of honour to maintain a cause. Dryden, Hind and Panther, iii. 401. the The amba ador appeared before the Council early in the following month, and demanded, of his own motion, that her [Mary's] officers should be released, and her privilege of worship restored until the Emperor were certified position of things. He was told that he spoke without warrant, and could have no answer from the King, and was warned not to move those piques without commi ion. R. W. Dixon , Hist. Church of Eng., xviii. 3. (a) A blind tick, Argas nigra, capable of causing painful sores on cattle and men. See Ppr. Argas. (b) The jigger, chigoe, or chique. See Sarcopsylla.-4. In the game of piquet, the winning of thirty points before one's opponent scores at all in the same dea deal, entitling the winner to add thirty more to his score. piquel (pēk), v. t.; pret. and pp. piqued, piquing. [Formerly ly also picque; 4508 sting, in a figurative sense; nettle; irritate; offend; fret; excite a degree of anger in. I must first have a value for the thing I lose, before it Cibber, Carele Husband, iv. piques me. 2. To stimulate or excite to action by arousing envy, jealousy, or other pa ion in a somewhat slight degree. Picqu'd by Pro to genes's fame, From Cos to Rhodes Apelles came. Prior, Pro to genes and Apelles. I'm afraid to afront People, though I don't like their Faces; or to ruin their Reputations, thou' they pique me to it, by taking ever so much pains to preserve 'em. Sir J. Vanbrugh , Confederacy, i. The mystery.. had not only piqued his curiosity, but ruffled his temper. Barham , In golds by Legends, 1. 45. How the imagination is piqued by anecdotes of some great man pa ing incognito! Emerson , Conduct of Life. 3. Reflexively, to pride or value (one's self). Men pique themselves on their skill in them [the learned languages]. Locke, Education, § 168. We pique ourselves upon nothing but simplicity, and have no carvings, gildings, paintings, inlayings, or taw dry busine es. Walpole, Letters, II. 340. = Syn. 1. To displease, vex, provoke. See pique2 , n . pique2 (pēk), n. [Formerly also pike ; pique , F. pique (= It. pica , picca), grudge, pique , piquer , prick, sting, nettle, gall: see pique2 , v .] 1. A quarrel; dispute; strife. Consisting of manifold dispositions there was dayly wauering, sometimes pikes amongst themselues. Daniel, Hist. Eng., p. 151. It is not only the case of Heresie which renders them obnoxious to the Popes censures, but particular piques and quarrels. Stilling fleet, Sermons, II. ii. This dog and man at first were friends: But, when a pique began, The dog, to gain some private ends, Went mad, and bit the man. Goldsmith, Vicar, xvii. 2. A feeling of anger, irritation, displeasure, or resentment arising from wounded pride, vanity, or self-love; wounded pride; slight umbrage or offense taken. Men take up piques and displeasures at others. Decay of Christian Piety. Out of personal pique to those in service, he stands as a looker on when the government is attacked. Add is on. He had been cro ed in love, and had offered his hand from pique to a lady who accepted it from interest. Peacock , Nightmare Abbey, i. pirate