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de·spite

(dĭ-spīt)

prep.

In spite of; notwithstanding: won the game despite overwhelming odds.

1. Contemptuous defiance or disregard.

2. Spite; malice: "He died soon after ... of pure despite and vexation" (Sir Walter Scott).

[Short for in despite of, from Middle English despit, spite, from Old French, from Latin dēspectus, from past participle of dēspicere, to despise; see DESPISE.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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