In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
DESPITE
despite
(noun) contemptuous disregard; “she wanted neither favor nor despite”
contempt, disdain, scorn, despite
(noun) lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike; “he was held in contempt”; “the despite in which outsiders were held is legendary”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Preposition
despite
In spite of, notwithstanding, regardless of.
Synonyms
• in spite of, maugre; see also despite
Noun
despite (countable and uncountable, plural despites)
(obsolete) Disdain, contemptuous feelings, hatred.
(archaic) Action or behaviour displaying such feelings; an outrage, insult.
Evil feeling; malice, spite.
Verb
despite (third-person singular simple present despites, present participle despiting, simple past and past participle despited)
(obsolete) To vex; to annoy; to offend contemptuously.
Anagrams
• seed pit, septide
Source: Wiktionary
De*spite", n. Etym: [OF. despit, F. dépit, fr. L. despectus contempt, fr. despicere. See Despise, and cf. Spite, Despect.]
1. Malice; malignity; spite; malicious anger; contemptuous hate. With all thy despite against the land of Israel. Ezek. xxv. 6.
2. An act of malice, hatred, or defiance; contemptuous defiance; a deed of contempt. A despite done against the Most High. Milton. In despite, in defiance of another's power or inclination.
– In despite of, in defiance of; in spite of. See under Spite. "Seized my hand in despite of my efforts to the contrary." W. Irving.
– In your despite, in defiance or contempt of you; in spite of you. [Obs.]
De*spite", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Despited; p. pr. & vb. n. Despiting.] Etym: [OF. despitier, fr. L. despectare, intens. of despicere. See Despite, n.]
Definition: To vex; to annoy; to offend contemptuously. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.
De*spite", prep.
Definition: In spite of; against, or in defiance of; notwithstanding; as, despite his prejudices.
Syn.
– See Notwithstanding.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
23 April 2025
UNMARRIED
(adjective) not married or related to the unmarried state; “unmarried men and women”; “unmarried life”; “sex and the single girl”; “single parenthood”; “are you married or single?”
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