Spite
Cameron wrote, “What if
I feel spite in spite of coming off a respite?” You can sense a question in
there struggling to get out.
Spite is a shortened
form of despite. It came from a Latin word meaning to look down upon. So spite
originally was a display of contempt, scorn, and disdain. It evolved into petty
hatred with the intention to irritate, annoy, or thwart.
Respite comes from a
Latin word that meant adjournment. It describes a delay, an extension of time,
or a postponement. It is related to another Latin word that meant visual
attention. The phrase “in spite of” fundamentally means in defiance or contempt
in the face of.
So in all cases, the
eyes have it.
Available from McFarland & Co.: Word Parts
Dictionary, 2nd edition
Nook edition
Nook edition
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