Despite

n. [O. Fr. despite, despit, N. Fr. dépit, Pr. despieg, despiet, despeit, despieit, O. It. despitto, N. It. dispetto, Sp. despecho, from Lat. despectus, contempt, from despicere. See DESPISE, and cf. SPITE.]

1Sense 1. Extreme malice; violent hatred; malignity; malice irritated or enraged; angry hatred; vexation.

With all thy despite against the land of Israel. Ezek. xxv. 6.

2Sense 2. An act prompted by feelings of hatred or defiance; contemptuous defiance; triumph over opposition; successful counteraction. “A despite done against the Most High.” Milton.

Seized my hand in despite of my efforts to the contrary. Irving.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. DESPITED; p. pr. & vb. n. DESPITING.] [O. Fr.; despiter, despeiter, Pr. despeytar, despecher, Sp. despechar, It. dispettare, Lat. despectare, v. intens. of despicere.] To vex; to offend contemptuously. [Obs.] Raleigh.

In spite of; as, despite his prejudices.

Synonyms—See NOTWITHSTANDING.