DESPITE

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French despit, from Latin despectus, from despicere Date: 13th century the feeling or attitude of despising ; contempt , malice , spite , 3. an act showing contempt or defiance, detriment , disadvantage , II. transitive verb (~d; despiting) Date: 14th century to treat with contempt, to provoke to anger ; vex , III. preposition Date: 15th century in spite of