[de.spite] n [ME, fr. OF despit, fr. L despectus, fr. despicere] (13c) 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 ~, more solidly --Sir Winston Churchill" -- in despite of : in spite of
[2]despite vt de.spit.ed ; de.spit.ing (14c) 1 archaic: to treat with contempt
2. obs: to provoke to anger: vex [3]despite prep (15c): in spite of "played ~ an injury"