Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PIQUE, n. [peek; Fr. See Piquant.]

1. An offense taken; usually, slight anger, irritation or displeasure at persons, rather temporary than permanent, and distinguished either in degree or temporariness from settled enmity or malevolence. Out of personal pique to those in service, he stands as a looker on, when the government is attacked. – Addison.
2. A strong passion. – Hudibras.
3. Point; nicety; punctilio. Add long prescription of established laws, / And pique of honor to maintain a cause. – Dryden.