Spite1, n.
n. [Abbreviated from despite, q. v.; D. spijt.] 1. Hatred; rancor; malice; malignity; malevolence. This is a deadly spite that angers. Shak. Begone, ye critics, and restrain your spite; Codrus writes on, and will forever write. Pope. 2. Vexation; chagrin. [Rare.] Shak. In spite of, in opposition to all efforts of; in defiance or contempt of. “Whom God made use of to speak a word in season, and saved me in spite of the world, the devil, and myself.” South. “In spite of all applications, the patient grew worse every day.” Arbuthnot. — To owe one a spite, to entertain a mean hatred for him. Syn. — Pique; rancor; malevolence; grudge. — SPITE, MALICE. Malice has more reference to the disposition, and spite to the manifestations of it in words and actions. Malice denotes a spirit which desires evil to others. Spite is a temper which delights to express itself in bitter and cutting language, or in low and irritating actions. It is, therefore, meaner than malice, though not always more criminal. “Malice expresses the disposition of inferior minds to execute every purpose of mischief within the more limited circle of their abilities.” Coogan. “Consider eke, that spite availeth naught.” Wyatt. See PIQUE.