prep.
Pronunciation: di- ' sp ī t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French despit, from Latin despectus, from despicere
Date: 13th century
1 : the feeling or attitude of despising : CONTEMPT
2 : MALICE , SPITE
3 a : an act showing contempt or defiance b : DETRIMENT , DISADVANTAGE <I know of no government which stands to its obligations, even in its own despite , more solidly ― Sir Winston Churchill>
– in despite of : in spite of