despite
/dɪˈspʌɪt
/preposition
Without being affected by; in spite of: he remains a great leader despite age and infirmity...
- He'd been turned away from the bar on suspicion of being under age despite being 28.
- He is languid, conceited, a natural leader of men despite his subordinate rank.
- Is someone providing these children with cigarettes and alcohol despite their age?
Synonyms
in spite of, notwithstanding, regardless of, in defiance of, without being affected by, in the face of, for all, even with, undeterred by
noun [mass noun] archaic
1Contemptuous treatment or behaviour; outrage: the despite done by him to the holy relics...
- When news was brought to King James of the despite done to his authority by the defeat and slaughter of his representative in Dumfriesshire, he was much incensed.
- If his arms were victorious, Charlemagne vowed to himself that he would hang Ogier on the field, for still the despite done him by Godfrey rankled in his heart.
- The excommunication which he pronounced against his erring nephews was probably occasioned as much by the political grievances of his family as by righteous indignation at the despite done to the Council.
2Contempt; disdain: the theatre only earns my despite...
- He has earned my despite. I simply don't care.
- The despite in which he is now held among the nation is legendary.
Phrases
despite (or in despite) of
despite oneself
Derivatives
despiteful
/ adjective (archaic) ...- His eyes narrowed in a despiteful expression and I thought for a moment I had made him truly angry.
- It is extremely vital to become aware of spy-ware online and chuck out the despiteful code from your PC files.
- They do this with an evil heart and despiteful mind.
Origin
Middle English (originally used as a noun meaning 'contempt, scorn' in the phrase in despite of): from Old French despit, from Latin despectus 'looking down on', past participle (used as a noun) of despicere (see despise).