Syn. — Pique, rancor; malevolence; grudge. — 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.
SPITE
Spite, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spited; p. pr. & vb. n. Spiting.]
1. To be angry at; to hate. [Obs.] The Danes, then . . . pagans, spited places of religion. Fuller.
2. To treat maliciously; to try to injure or thwart.
3. To fill with spite; to offend; to vex. [R.] Darius, spited at the Magi, endeavored to abolish not only their learning, but their language. Sir. W. Temple.
SPITEFUL
Spite"ful, a.
Defn: Filled with, or showing, spite; having a desire to vex, annoy, or injure; malignant; malicious; as, a spiteful person or act. Shak. — Spite"ful*ly, adv. Spite"ful*ness, n.
SPITFIRE
Spit"fire`, n.
Defn: A violent, irascible, or passionate person. [Colloq.] Grose.
SPITFUL
Spit"ful, n.; pl. Spitfuls (.