repique: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (C2)Technical / Literary
Quick answer
What does “repique” mean?
A sharp, repeated, and often ringing sound, typically from striking a hard surface like metal or stone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sharp, repeated, and often ringing sound, typically from striking a hard surface like metal or stone.
In music (specifically for percussion like timpani or certain drums), a series of quick, repeated notes or a specific type of drum roll; in card games (historical), a bonus score.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both use it primarily in musical contexts. The descriptive use ('a repique of stone on stone') is slightly more likely in British literary prose.
Connotations
Musical: precise, technical, rhythmic. Descriptive: sharp, clear, resonant, sometimes unpleasant.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, confined to specialist musical writing or very formal/literary description.
Grammar
How to Use “repique” in a Sentence
The [noun: e.g., hammer] produced a repique (against/on the [surface]).To repique (on the [instrument]).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “repique” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The timpanist was asked to repique clearly at bar 36.
- The blacksmith's hammer repiqued against the anvil.
American English
- The percussionist will repique on the fourth beat.
- The hail repiqued on the metal roof.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical musicology or organology papers describing percussion techniques.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in musical scores and instructions for timpani, snare drum, or similar percussion instruments.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “repique”
- Misspelling as 'repike' or 'repeek'.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'sound' instead of a specific sharp, ringing, repeated one.
- Pronouncing it /ˈriːpaɪk/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare, technical (musical) or literary word. Most native speakers would not know or use it.
Yes, but rarely. As a verb, it means to produce such a sharp, ringing sound or to play a specific percussive sequence.
A repique often implies a specific, sharp attack or a short series of quick, distinct notes leading to a single accent, while a roll is a sustained rapid succession of notes.
Etymologically, yes. Both come from the French 'piquer' meaning 'to prick' or 'to sting'. 'Repique' suggests a repeated or answering 'sting' of sound.
A sharp, repeated, and often ringing sound, typically from striking a hard surface like metal or stone.
Repique is usually technical / literary in register.
Repique: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈpiːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈpiːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PIQUE of anger making you strike a metal rail, causing a sharp REPEATED sound: RE-PIQUE.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND IS A PHYSICAL BLOW (a repique strikes the ear).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'repique' most likely to be used correctly today?