despight

plural despights

1. countableobsoleteuncountableObsolete spelling of despite.

   I'll bid adieu to gravity, and drink; And, though I can't put off a woful mien, Will be all mirth and cheerfulness within: As, in despight of a censorious race, I most incontinently suck my face.

   1714, Jonathan Swift, Dennis' Invitation to Steele

   2 more examples

   In haste Duessa from her place arose, And to him running said, O prowest knight, That ever Ladie to her love did chose, Let now abate the terror of your might, And quench the flame of furious despight, And bloudie vengeance; lo th' infernall powres, Covering your foe with cloud of deadly night, Have borne him hence to Plutoes balefull bowres. The conquest yours, I yours, the shield, the glory yours.

   1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene

   Thou, only thou, pure Love, whose cruel might obligeth human hearts to weal and woe, thou, only thou, didst wreak such foul despight, as though she were some foul perfidious foe. Thy burning thirst, fierce Love, they say aright, may not be quencht by saddest tears that flow; Nay, more, thy sprite of harsh tyrannick mood would see thine altars bathed with human blood.

   1880, Richard Francis Burton, Os Lusiadas (The Lusiads), translation of original by Luís de Camões, Canto III, stanza 119, page 126

1. obsoleteObsolete spelling of despite.