01 n. Ill-will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart; petty malice; grudge; rancor; despite.
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1.
Ill-will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart; petty malice; grudge; rancor; despite.“This is the deadly spite that angers.” — Shak.
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2.
Vexation; chargrin; mortification.[R.]
Phrases & compounds
In spite of —
in opposition to all efforts of; in defiance or contempt of; notwithstanding.
To owe one a spite —
to entertain a mean hatred for him.
Syn.
Pique, rancor; malevolence; grudge.
Spite, Malice. Malice has more reference to the disposition, and spite to the manifestation of it in words and actions. It is, therefore, meaner than malice, thought not always more criminal. “ Malice . . . is more frequently employed to express the dispositions of inferior minds to execute every purpose of mischief within the more limited circle of their abilities.” Cogan. “Consider eke, that spite availeth naught.” Wyatt. See Pique.