See Also: Spite(medicine)
spite(1)(dictionary)
spite(2)(dictionary)
spite 1, noun(dictionary)
spite 2, verb(dictionary)

spite(1) (iou)



spite noun. Also spight. ME.
[Aphet. from (the same root as) DESPITE noun.]
(A) hostile or malevolent action; (a) deliberate injury or insult. ME-M17.
Malice, ill will, esp. such as arises from offended pride, jealousy, or a desire for revenge. Formerly also, contempt for a person. ME.
J. Galsworthy He..added, with an uncontrollable burst of spite: 'June's got a temper of her own.' I. Murdoch Why should he be so troubled by a girl's spite?
b. An instance of this; a grudge. LME.
a. Matter for regret. rare. Only in LME.
b. An annoying or regrettable thing, a disappointment. Long obsolete exc. Scot. L16.
c. A feeling of annoyance. L16-L17.
Phrases & comb.: in spite of in defiance of; notwithstanding. in spite of oneself though one would rather have done otherwise. in spite of one's teeth: see TOOTH noun. spite and malice a form of the card-game Russian Bank. spite fence (chiefly US) a wall, fence, etc., erected to cause annoyance. spite of = in spite of above. spitework US = sense 2 above.
spiteless adjective (rare) L19.
spitish adjective spiteful, snappish E17.