DESPITE


Meaning of DESPITE in English

I. də̇ˈspīt, dēˈ-, usu -īd.+V noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English, from Old French despit, from Latin despectus — more at despect

1. : the feeling or attitude of despising : contempt

the despite in which cunners are held is a convention — Yale Review

2. : ill will, aversion, or indignation toward another especially accompanied with a desire to vex or harm : malice , grudge , spite

the whites mingle freely with these redskins, bearing them no such despite — Horace Kephart

3. : an act showing contempt or defiance

to say that these habitually coincide is surely doing despite to our judgment — T.S.Omond

: harm

I know of no government which stands to its obligations, even in its own despite , more solidly — Sir Winston Churchill

when, in despite of American opinion and interests, things go awry — D.W.Brogan

Synonyms: see malice

II. verb

( -ed/-ing/-s )

Etymology: Middle English despiten, from Middle French despitier, from Latin despectare, from despectus

transitive verb

1. archaic : to treat with contempt

2. obsolete : to vex or injure spitefully

intransitive verb

obsolete : to show despite or contempt

III. preposition

Etymology: (in) despite (of)

: without deterrence or prevention by : notwithstanding : without being blocked, balked, or thwarted by : in spite of

he managed to hold his position until retirement despite failing health

privateers were fitted out in American ports despite official opposition — D.G.Munro

generous despite their own economic troubles — Arthur Rucker

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.