Dictionary of troublesome word. Bill Bryson. 2013.
despite, in spite of — There is no distinction between the two. A common construction is seen here: But despite the fall in sterling, Downing Street officials were at pains to play down any suggestion of crisis (Daily Telegraph). Because despite and in spite of… … Dictionary of troublesome word
Despite — De*spite , n. [OF. despit, F. d[ e]pit, fr. L. despectus contempt, fr. despicere. See {Despise}, and cf. {Spite}, {Despect}.] 1. Malice; malignity; spite; malicious anger; contemptuous hate. [1913 Webster] With all thy despite against the land of … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
despite — despite, in spite of These two prepositions are largely interchangeable and both can be followed by nouns or noun phrases or by constructions introduced by a participle (a verb ending in ing): played despite an ankle sprain / had a restless night … Modern English usage
Despite — De*spite , prep. In spite of; against, or in defiance of; notwithstanding; as, despite his prejudices. Syn: See {Notwithstanding}. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Despite — 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. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
spite — spite1 [ spaıt ] noun uncount ** a feeling of wanting to upset someone or cause problems for them, especially because you think something is unfair: a candidate motivated by political spite out of spite: She refused out of spite. in spite of… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
Spite — Spite, n. [Abbreviated fr. despite.] 1. Ill will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart; petty malice; grudge; rancor; despite. Pope. [1913 Webster] This is the deadly spite that angers. Shak.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Spite of — Spite Spite, n. [Abbreviated fr. despite.] 1. Ill will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart; petty malice; grudge; rancor; despite. Pope. [1913 Webster] This is the deadly spite that angers.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
despite — [di spīt′] n. [ME & OFr despit < L despectus, a looking down upon, despising < despicere: see DESPISE] 1. a contemptuous act; insult; injury 2. malice; spite 3. Archaic contempt; scorn prep. in spite of; notwithstanding vt. despited … English World dictionary
spite — [spīt] n. [ME, aphetic < despite: see DESPITE] 1. a) a mean or evil feeling toward another, characterized by the inclination to hurt, humiliate, annoy, frustrate, etc.; ill will; malice b) an instance of this; a grudge 2. Obs. something… … English World dictionary
