Main Entry: ¹de·spite

Pronunciation: \di-ˈspīt\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French despit, from Latin despectus, from despicere

Date: 13th century

1 : the feeling or attitude of despising : contempt
2 : malice, spite
3 a : an act showing contempt or defiance b : detriment, disadvantage <I know of no government which stands to its obligations, even in its own despite, more solidly — Sir Winston Churchill>

— in despite of : in spite of