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.]
DESPITE
De*spite", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Despited; p. pr. & vb. n. Despiting.]
Etym: [OF. despitier, fr. L. despectare, intens. of despicere. See
Despite, n.]
Defn: To vex; to annoy; to offend contemptuously. [Obs.] Sir W.
Raleigh.
DESPITE
De*spite", prep.
Defn: In spite of; against, or in defiance of; notwithstanding; as, despite his prejudices.
Syn.
— See Notwithstanding.
DESPITEFUL
De*spite"ful, a. Etym: [See Despite, and cf. Spiteful.]
Defn: Full of despite; expressing malice or contemptuous hate;
malicious.
— De*spite"ful*ly, adv.
— De*spite"ful*ness, n.
Haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters. Rom. i. 30.
Pray for them which despitefully use you. Matt. v. 44.
Let us examine him with despitefulness and fortune. Book of Wisdom
ii. 19.
DESPITEOUS Des*pit"e*ous, a. Etym: [OE. despitous, OF. despiteus, fr. despit; affected in form by E. piteous. See Despite.]
Defn: Feeling or showing despite; malicious; angry to excess; cruel; contemptuous. [Obs.] "Despiteous reproaches." Holland.