A despisal of religion.
South.
De*spise" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Despised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Despising.] [OF. despis-, in some forms of despire to despise, fr. L. despicere, despectum, to look down upon, despise; de- + spicere, specere, to look. See Spy, and cf. Despicable, Despite.] To look down upon with disfavor or contempt; to contemn; to scorn; to disdain; to have a low opinion or contemptuous dislike of.
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Prov. i. 7.
Men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them.
Jowett (Thucyd. ).
Syn. -- To contemn; scorn; disdain; slight; undervalue. See Contemn.
De*spis"ed*ness, n. The state of being despised.
De*spise"ment (?), n. A despising. [R.] Holland.
De*spis"er (?), n. One who despises; a contemner; a scorner.
De*spis"ing*ly, adv. Contemptuously.
De*spite" (?), n. [OF. despit, F. dépit, fr. L. despectus contempt, fr. despicere. See Despise, and cf. Spite, Despect.] 1. Malice; malignity; spite; malicious anger; contemptuous hate.
With all thy despite against the land of Israel.
Ezek. xxv. 6.
2. An act of malice, hatred, or defiance; contemptuous defiance; a deed of contempt.
A despite done against the Most High.
Milton.
In despite, in defiance of another's power or inclination. -- In despite of, in defiance of; in spite of. See under Spite. "Seized my hand in despite of my efforts to the contrary." W. Irving. -- In your despite, in defiance or contempt of you; in spite of you. [Obs.]
De*spite" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Despited; p. pr. & vb. n. Despiting.] [OF. despitier, fr. L. despectare, intens. of despicere. See Despite, n.] To vex; to annoy; to offend contemptuously. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.
De*spite", prep. In spite of; against, or in defiance of; notwithstanding; as, despite his prejudices.
Syn. -- See Notwithstanding.
De*spite"ful (?), a. [See Despite, and cf. Spiteful.] Full of despite; expressing malice or contemptuous hate; malicious. -- De*spite"ful*ly, adv. -- De*spite"ful*ness, n.
Haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters.
Rom. i. 30.
Pray for them which despitefully use you.
Matt. v. 44.
Let us examine him with despitefulness and fortune.
Book of Wisdom ii. 19.
Des*pit"e*ous (?), a. [OE. despitous, OF. despiteus, fr. despit; affected in form by E. piteous. See Despite.] Feeling or showing despite; malicious; angry to excess; cruel; contemptuous. [Obs.] "Despiteous reproaches." Holland.