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noun
1.
a malicious, usually petty, desire to harm, annoy, frustrate, or humiliate another person; bitter ill will; malice.
2.
a particular instance of such an attitude or action; grudge.
3.
Obsolete. something that causes vexation; annoyance.
verb (used with object)
4.
to treat with spite or malice.
5.
to annoy or thwart, out of spite.
6.
to fill with spite; vex; offend.
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In spite of
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
7.
cut off one's nose to spite one's face. nose (def. 23).
8.
in spite of, in disregard or defiance of; notwithstanding; despite: She arrived at school on time in spite of the snowstorm.
Related forms
spite·less, adjective
un·spit·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To in spite of
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
spite
c.1300, shortened form of despit "malice" (see despite). Corresponding to M.Du. spijt, M.L.G. spyt, M.Swed. spit. Commonly spelled spight c.1575-1700. The verb is attested from c.1400. Phrase in spite of is recorded from c.1400.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
in spite of
Regardless of, in defiance of, as in They kept on in spite of their fears. [c. 1400]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
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