- Spite
- Spite Spite, n. [Abbreviated fr. despite.]
1. Ill-will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the
disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart; petty malice;
grudge; rancor; despite. --Pope.
[1913 Webster]
This is the deadly spite that angers. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. Vexation; chargrin; mortification. [R.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
{In spite of}, or {Spite of}, in opposition to all efforts of; in defiance or contempt of; notwithstanding. ``Continuing, spite of pain, to use a knee after it had been slightly injured.'' --H. Spenser. ``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. See Syn. under {Notwithstanding}.
{To owe one a spite}, to entertain a mean hatred for him. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Pique, rancor; malevolence; grudge.
Usage: {Spite}, {Malice}. Malice has more reference to the disposition, and spite to the manifestation of it in words and actions. It is, therefore, meaner than malice, thought not always more criminal. `` Malice . . . is more frequently employed to express the dispositions of inferior minds to execute every purpose of mischief within the more limited circle of their abilities.'' --Cogan. ``Consider eke, that spite availeth naught.'' --Wyatt. See {Pique}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.