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." H. Spenser. "And saved me in
spite of the world, the devil, and myself." South. "In spite of all
applications, the patient grew worse every day." Arbuthnot. See Syn.
under Notwithstanding. -- To owe one a spite, to entertain a mean
hatred for him.
Syn. -- 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."
Cogan. "Consider eke, that spite availeth naught." Wyatt. See Pique.
Spite, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spited; p. pr. & vb. n. Spiting.] 1. To be
angry at; to hate. [Obs.]
The Danes, then . . . pagans, spited places of religion.
Fuller.