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Stage 1 of 4
pic
Old French · medieval
"a sharp point, spike"
a word for a sharp point or spike
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Stage 2 of 4
piquer
French · medieval
"to prick, sting; to irritate"
the related verb, meaning to prick or sting, developed a figurative sense of irritating
3
Stage 3 of 4
pique
French · 1500s
"a prick; a feeling of resentment"
the noun named the sting of wounded pride
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Stage 4 of 4
pique
English · 1530s-1670s
"a feeling of irritation from wounded pride"
entered as a noun for wounded self-respect, later also as a verb meaning to stimulate or excite
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