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Webster 1913 Edition


Despite

De-spite′

,
Noun.
[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′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Despited
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Despiting
.]
[OF.
despitier
, fr. L.
despectare
, intens. of
despicere
. See
Despite
,
Noun.
]
To vex; to annoy; to offend contemptuously.
[Obs.]
Sir W. Raleigh.
Syn. – See
Notwithstanding
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Despite

DESPITE

, n.
1.
Extreme malice; violent hatred; malignity; malice irritated or enraged; active malignity; angry hatred.
With all thy despite against the land of israel. Ezek. 25.
2.
Defiance with contempt, or contempt of opposition.
He will rise to fame in despite of his enemies.