2007-06-08 16:07:32 · 4 answers · asked by Cindy K 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
piqued.
Thanks so much for asking. Drives me crazy when I see it wrong.
2007-06-08 16:13:27 · answer #1 · answered by helpfulhannah 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is (almost) another example of homonyms in English (words that sound alike but have different meanings). I say "almost" because "piqued," comes directly from French. Since the word "peak" is a noun in English, you can't conjugate it (give it a verb form--such as "piqued"). The word "pique" in French can be used as a noun or a verb. Isn't language crazy? A similar way the rule is often broken is in regard to the word "summit," the highest point of a mountain. Climbers who reach the top say they "summitted," a word that shouldn't exist. But language, like all living things, evolves to fit the environment.
2007-06-09 11:03:42 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine P...is for Poetry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word is "piqued", not "peaked".
Piqued means aroused, whereas peaked means reached a high point.
2007-06-09 00:15:46 · answer #3 · answered by Robert David M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love this word...
How entirely opposite of ironic!
2 a : to excite or arouse especially by a provocation, challenge, or rebuff
2007-06-08 23:57:33 · answer #4 · answered by Melissa 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋