The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Despite \De*spite"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Despited; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Despiting.] [OF. despitier, fr. L. despectare,
   intens. of despicere. See Despite, n.]
   To vex; to annoy; to offend contemptuously. [Obs.] --Sir W.
   Raleigh.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Despite \De*spite"\, prep.
   In spite of; against, or in defiance of; notwithstanding; as,
   despite his prejudices.

   Syn: See Notwithstanding.
        [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Despite \De*spite"\, n. [OF. despit, F. d['e]pit, fr. L.
   despectus contempt, fr. despicere. See Despise, and cf.
   Spite, Despect.]
   1. Malice; malignity; spite; malicious anger; contemptuous
      hate.
      [1913 Webster]

            With all thy despite against the land of Israel.
                                                  --Ezek. xxv.
                                                  6.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. An act of malice, hatred, or defiance; contemptuous
      defiance; a deed of contempt.
      [1913 Webster]

            A despite done against the Most High. --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.]
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

despite
    n 1: lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense
         dislike; "he was held in contempt"; "the despite in which
         outsiders were held is legendary" [syn: contempt,
         disdain, scorn, despite]
    2: contemptuous disregard; "she wanted neither favor nor
       despite"