Main Entry:

¹spite

Pronunciation:

\ˈspīt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, short for despite

Date:

14th century

1 : petty ill will or hatred with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart 2 : an instance of spite

synonyms see malice

— in spite of

: in defiance or contempt of : without being prevented by <succeeded in spite of their opposition>