Spite of

Spite of
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.

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  • 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.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spite — ► NOUN ▪ a desire to hurt, annoy, or offend. ► VERB ▪ deliberately hurt, annoy, or offend. ● in spite of Cf. ↑in spite of ● in spite of oneself Cf. ↑in spite of oneself …   English terms dictionary

  • Spite — Spite, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Spited}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Spiting}.] 1. To be angry at; to hate. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] The Danes, then . . . pagans, spited places of religion. Fuller. [1913 Webster] 2. To treat maliciously; to try to injure or thwart …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spite — [spīt] n. [ME, aphetic < despite: see DESPITE] 1. a) a mean or evil feeling toward another, characterized by the inclination to hurt, humiliate, annoy, frustrate, etc.; ill will; malice b) an instance of this; a grudge 2. Obs. something… …   English World dictionary

  • spite — (n.) c.1300, shortened form of despit malice (see DESPITE (Cf. despite)). Corresponding to M.Du. spijt, M.L.G. spyt, M.Swed. spit. Commonly spelled spight c.1575 1700. The verb is attested from c.1400. Phrase in spite of is recorded from c.1400 …   Etymology dictionary

  • spite — [n] hateful feeling animosity, antipathy, bad blood*, contempt, despite, enmity, gall, grudge, harsh feeling, hate, hatred, ill will, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignity, peeve, pique, rancor, resentment, revenge, spitefulness, spleen,… …   New thesaurus

  • spite — I noun acrimoniousness, acrimony, animosity, animus, antagonism, bitterness, cattiness, contempt, defiance, despite, enmity, gall, grudge, harsh feeling, hate, hatred, hostility, ill feeling, ill nature, ill will, inimicality, intolerance, livor …   Law dictionary

  • Spite — Le nom est originaire de Moselle. On trouve également en Lorraine la variante Spit. Sens incertain. Peut être une autre forme de Spitz (voir ce nom) …   Noms de famille

  • spite — n despite, malignity, malignancy, spleen, grudge, *malice, ill will, malevolence Analogous words: rancor, animus, antipathy (see ENMITY): vindictiveness, revengefulness or revenge, vengefulness or ven geance (see corresponding adjectives at… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • spite — spite1 W3 [spaıt] n [U] [Date: 1200 1300; Origin: despite (noun) (13 20 centuries); DESPITE] 1.) in spite of sth without being affected or prevented by something = ↑despite ▪ We went out in spite of the rain. ▪ Kelly loved her husband in spite of …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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