despite

[dih-spahyt]

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preposition

in spite of; notwithstanding.

noun

contemptuous treatment; insult.
malice, hatred, or spite.

verb (used with object), de·spit·ed, de·spit·ing.

Obsolete. to anger or annoy (someone) out of spite.

Idioms

in despite of, in spite of; notwithstanding: He was tolerant in despite of his background and education.

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 for despite

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1. See notwithstanding.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for despite

against, although, notwithstanding

Examples from the Web for despite

Contemporary Examples of despite

Despite the strong language, however, the neither the JPO nor Lockheed could dispute a single fact in either Daily Beast report.
Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal
Dave Majumdar
January 8, 2015
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 8501
Clive Irving
January 6, 2015
Despite his efforts to live in the present, he seemed haunted by the specter of his father.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile
Robert Ward
January 3, 2015
Despite conventional wisdom, there are no rewards just for participating.
Lost For Thousands of Strokes: 'Desert Golfing' Is 'Angry Birds' as Modern Art
Alec Kubas-Meyer
January 2, 2015
Despite its ranking at the bottom of most international development indexes, the conflict is shrouded by confusion.
The Year’s Most Forgotten Humanitarian Crisis
Nina Strochlic
January 1, 2015

Historical Examples of despite

Yet, despite her innocence, the world would not let her live according to her own conscience.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
Yet, despite his chagrin, he realized that he could not send her from him forthwith.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
After all, Mary was only a woman, despite her cleverness, and with all a woman's timidity.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
Despite the laughter there was a suspicious mist in Mr. Ried's eyes.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden
It came in a most casual voice, despite the dancing delight in her face.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana

British Dictionary definitions for despite

despite

preposition

in spite of; undeterred by

noun

archaic contempt; insult
in despite of (preposition) rare in spite of

verb

(tr) an archaic word for spite

Word Origin for despite

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.