| Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993. |
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| peak, peek, pique (nn., vv.) |
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| These homophones are spelled differently and have different meanings as well. A peak is the top of a mountain or of something else high and pointed, and its verb means “to reach or come to the topmost point.” A peek is a quick and perhaps furtive glance, and the verb means “to take a quick, furtive look.” The noun pique means “resentment, offense taken,” as in She said unpleasant things in a fit of pique (note that fit of pique is a cliché), and the verb means “to cause resentment or, more commonly, to rouse, excite, or stimulate,” as in Her sudden departure piqued everyone’s curiosity (to pique someone’s curiosity is also a cliché, but still a useful one). | 1 |
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| | | The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. Copyright © 1993 Columbia University Press. |
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