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Vex vs Pique - What's the difference?

vex | pique | Related terms |

Vex is a related term of pique.


As nouns the difference between vex and pique

is that vex is (space|esa) while pique is a kind of ribbed or corded fabric.

vex

English

Verb

(es)
  • To trouble aggressively, to harass.
  • * 1526 , (William Tyndale), trans. Bible , Acts XII:
    • In that tyme Herode the kynge layed hondes on certayne of the congregacion, to vexe them.
  • To annoy, irritate.
    • Billy's professor was vexed by his continued failure to improve his grades.
  • To cause (mental) suffering to; to distress.
  • (rare) To twist, to weave.
  • * Dryden
    • some English wool, vexed in a Belgian loom
  • (obsolete) To be irritated; to fret.
    • (Chapman)
  • To toss back and forth; to agitate; to disquiet.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • White curl the waves, and the vexed ocean roars.

    Quotations

    * (English Citations of "vex")

    Synonyms

    * (to annoy) agitate, irritate * (to cause mental suffering) afflict, torment

    Derived terms

    * vexed * vexer * vexingly * vexation * vexatious

    pique

    English

    Etymology 1

    (etyl) .

    Noun

  • A feeling of enmity between two entities; ill-feeling, animosity; a transient feeling of wounded pride.
  • * Dr. H. More
    • Men take up piques and displeasures.
  • * De Quincey
    • Wars had arisen upon a personal pique .
  • A feeling of irritation or resentment, awakened by a social slight or injury; offence, especially taken in an emotional sense with little thought or consideration.
  • * 1994 , Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom , Abacus 2010, p. 7:
    • This defiance was not a fit of pique , but a matter of principle.
  • * Sweet Smell of Success (1957) screenplay by Clifford Odets and Ernest Lehman, starring Burt Lancaster as J.J. Hunsecker who says:
    • You think this is a personal thing with me? Are you telling me I think of this in terms of a personal pique ?
  • (obsolete) Keenly felt desire; a longing.
  • * Hudibras
    • Though it have the pique , and long, / 'Tis still for something in the wrong.

    Verb

    (piqu)
  • To wound the pride of; to sting; to nettle; to irritate; to fret; to excite to anger.
  • * 1913 ,
    • She treated him indulgently, as if he were a child. He thought he did not mind. But deep below the surface it piqued him.
  • * Byron
    • Pique her and soothe in turn.
  • (reflexive) To take pride in; to pride oneself on.
  • * John Locke
    • Men pique themselves upon their skill.
  • To excite (someone) to action by causing resentment or jealousy; to stimulate (a feeling, emotion); to offend by slighting.
    • I believe this will pique your interest.
    (Prior)

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) pic.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • In piquet, the right of the elder hand to count thirty in hand, or to play before the adversary counts one.

    • Etymology 3

    From (etyl) pique, from Central (etyl) piki.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A chigger or jigger, Tunga penetrans .

    • Etymology 4

    From (etyl)

    Noun

  • A durable ribbed fabric made from cotton, rayon, or silk.

    • References

    Anagrams

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