in spite of

Spite \Spite\, n. [Abbreviated fr. despite.]
   1. Ill-will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the
      disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart; petty malice;
      grudge; rancor; despite. --Pope.
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            This is the deadly spite that angers. --Shak.
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   2. Vexation; chargrin; mortification. [R.] --Shak.
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   {In spite of}, or {Spite of}, in opposition to all efforts
      of; in defiance or contempt of; notwithstanding.
      "Continuing, spite of pain, to use a knee after it had
      been slightly injured." --H. Spenser. "And saved me in
      spite of the world, the devil, and myself." --South. "In
      spite of all applications, the patient grew worse every
      day." --Arbuthnot. See Syn. under {Notwithstanding}.

   {To owe one a spite}, to entertain a mean hatred for him.
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   Syn: Pique, rancor; malevolence; grudge.

   Usage: {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}.
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