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pique - vocabulary

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  Ed Good  —  Grammar Tips
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verb

To excite a degree of anger and resentment, as in She was piqued by their refusal to attend the party; to excite interest or curiosity in; to arouse or provoke to action.

"It naturally happens this time of year that people get interested in IRAs, but [the pension legislation] certainly has piqued people's interest," says Catherine Gordon, a principal at Vanguard Group. —Jilian Mincer

“Pension Act May Pique Interest in IRAs” Wall Street Journal, February 6, 2007

Note: As a noun, pique denotes a feeling of irritation or resentment.

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.

—Oliver Goldsmith

Grammar.com’s section on Problem Words discusses peak, peek, and pique. Click here for that discussion.

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