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