spite

 
Pronunciation: /spʌɪt/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone: he’d think I was saying it out of spite
  • [count noun] archaic a grudge: it seemed as if the wind had a spite at her

verb

[with object]
  • deliberately hurt, annoy, or offend (someone): he put the house up for sale to spite his family

Phrases

in spite of

without being affected by the particular factor mentioned: he was suddenly cold in spite of the sun

in spite of oneself

although one did not want or expect to do so: Oliver smiled in spite of himself

Origin:

Middle English: shortening of Old French despit 'contempt', despiter 'show contempt for'