What does despited mean?
Despited is the archaic past tense of the verb 'despite', which once meant to treat with contempt or scorn. In earlier centuries a writer might say that someone 'despited' their enemies, meaning they held them in open disdain. Today the verb has fallen out of use, surviving only in historical texts, while its noun cousin lives on in phrases such as 'in spite of' and 'out of spite'. Readers who meet 'despited' in old poetry or prose should understand it as equivalent to the modern 'despised' or 'scorned'. Because the word no longer occurs in current usage, it is of chiefly historical and etymological interest rather than practical vocabulary for everyday speech or writing.
verb (archaic; past tense and past participle of 'despite')Archaic past tense of the verb 'despite', meaning treated with contempt or scorned. The verb 'despite' itself is now obsolete in standard English.
- (Archaic) Treated with contempt or scorn — past tense of the obsolete verb 'despite'.
"He despited his rivals openly, scorning their every counsel."
"The proud king despited all who dared advise him."
"She despited the flattery of her courtiers."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of despited
The verb 'despite' derives from Old French 'despit' (contempt, scorn), from Latin 'despectus', a form of 'despicere' meaning to look down on. It was used in Middle and Early Modern English before falling into obsolescence. It shares this Latin root with 'despise' and 'despicable'.
How despited is actually used
Extremely rare and obsolete in contemporary English; encountered mainly in older literature. Modern writers use 'despised' or 'scorned' instead.
Easily confused with despited
'Despited' is an archaic verb form meaning scorned, whereas modern 'spite'/'in spite of' functions as a preposition expressing contrast.