Definition:

de·spite /dəˈspīt/ Learn to pronounce preposition without being affected by; in spite of. "he remains a great leader despite age and infirmity" Similar: in spite of notwithstanding regardless of in defiance of without being affected by in the face of for all even with undeterred by Opposite: because of nounARCHAIC 1. outrage; injury. "the despite done by him to the holy relics" 2. contempt; disdain. "the theater only earns my despite"

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Etymology:

despite (n., prep.) c. 1300, despit (n.) "contemptuous challenge, defiance; act designed to insult or humiliate someone;" mid-14c., "scorn, contempt," from Old French despit (12c., Modern French dépit), from Latin despectus "a looking down on, scorn, contempt," from past participle of despicere "look down on, scorn," from de "down" (see de-) + spicere/specere "to look at" (from PIE root *spek- "to observe").