pique1

noun

• a feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight, especially to one’s pride:he left in a fit of pique

verb (piques, piquing, piqued)

• 1 [with object] arouse (interest or curiosity): with his scientific curiosity piqued, he was looking forward to being able to analyse his find

• 2 (be piqued) feel irritated or resentful:she was piqued by his curtness

• 3 (pique oneself) archaic pride oneself: men, who are thought to pique themselves upon their Wit