De*spite" (?), n. [OF. despit,
F. dépit, fr. L. despectus contempt, fr.
despicere. See Despise, and cf. Spite,
Despect.] 1. Malice; malignity; spite;
malicious anger; contemptuous hate.
With all thy despite against the land of
Israel.
Ezek. xxv. 6.
2. An act of malice, hatred, or defiance;
contemptuous defiance; a deed of contempt.
A despite done against the Most
High.
Milton.
In despite, in defiance of another's power
or inclination. -- In despite of, in
defiance of; in spite of. See under Spite. "Seized my
hand in despite of my efforts to the contrary." W.
Irving. -- In your despite, in defiance or
contempt of you; in spite of you. [Obs.]
De*spite" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Despited; p. pr. & vb. n.
Despiting.] [OF. despitier, fr. L. despectare,
intens. of despicere. See Despite,
n.] To vex; to annoy; to offend
contemptuously. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.
De*spite", prep. In spite of;
against, or in defiance of; notwithstanding; as, despite his
prejudices.
Syn. -- See Notwithstanding.
