| spite | 1. Ill-will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart; petty malice; grudge; rancor; despite. "This is the deadly spite that angers." (Shak) 2. Vexation; chargrin; mortification. In spite of, or Spite of, in opposition to all efforts of; in defiance or contempt of; notwithstanding. "Continuing, spite of pain, to use a knee after it had been slightly ibnjured." . "And saved me in spite of the world, the devil, and myself." . "In spite of all applications, the patient grew worse every day." . See Syn. Under Notwithstanding. To owe one a spite, to entertain a mean hatred for him. Synonym: Pique, rancor, malevolence, grudge. Spite, Malice. Malice has more reference to the disposition, and spite to the manifestation of it in words and actions. It is, therefore, meaner than malice, thought not always more criminal. " Malice . . . Is more frequently employed to express the dispositions of inferior minds to execute every purpose of mischief within the more limited circle of their abilities." . "Consider eke, that spite availeth naught." . See Pique. Origin: Abbreviated fr. Despite. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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