despite
[dih-spahyt]
- in spite of; notwithstanding.
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- contemptuous treatment; insult.
- malice, hatred, or spite.
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- Obsolete. to anger or annoy (someone) out of spite.
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- in despite of, in spite of; notwithstanding: He was tolerant in despite of his background and education.
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Origin of despite
1250–1300; orig. in despite of; Middle English despit < Old French < Latin dēspectus view from a height, scorn, equivalent to dēspec-, variant stem of dēspicere (see despicable) + -tus suffix of v. action
Synonyms
See more synonyms for despite on Thesaurus.com1. See notwithstanding.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for despite
Contemporary Examples
Despite the strong language, however, the neither the JPO nor Lockheed could dispute a single fact in either Daily Beast report.
The copilot on Flight 8501 was Remi Emmanuel Piesel, 46, who despite his age had just 2,275 hours of flying experience.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501Clive Irving
January 6, 2015
Despite his efforts to live in the present, he seemed haunted by the specter of his father.
Despite conventional wisdom, there are no rewards just for participating.
Lost For Thousands of Strokes: 'Desert Golfing' Is 'Angry Birds' as Modern ArtAlec Kubas-Meyer
January 2, 2015
Despite its ranking at the bottom of most international development indexes, the conflict is shrouded by confusion.
Historical Examples
Yet, despite her innocence, the world would not let her live according to her own conscience.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
Yet, despite his chagrin, he realized that he could not send her from him forthwith.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
After all, Mary was only a woman, despite her cleverness, and with all a woman's timidity.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
Despite the laughter there was a suspicious mist in Mr. Ried's eyes.
Ester Ried Yet SpeakingIsabella Alden
It came in a most casual voice, despite the dancing delight in her face.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
despite
- in spite of; undeterred by
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- archaic contempt; insult
- in despite of (preposition) rare in spite of
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- (tr) an archaic word for spite
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Word Origin
C13: from Old French despit, from Latin dēspectus contempt; see despise
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for despite
c.1300, originally a noun, from Old French despit (12c., Modern French dépit), from Latin despectus "a looking down on, scorn, contempt," from past participle of despicere (see despise).
The preposition (early 15c.) is short for in despite of (late 13c.), a loan-translation of Old French en despit de "in contempt of." Almost became despight during 16c. spelling reform.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper