An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

In spite of; notwithstanding.

M.E. despit, from O.Fr. despit, from L. despectus "a looking down on, scorn, contempt," from p.p. of despicere "to look down on, scorn," from → de- "down" + spicere/specere "to look at," → scope; the preposition is contraction of in despite of, a loan-translation of O.Fr. en despit de "in contempt of."

Pâdkâm, literally "against (one's) will or desire," from pâd- "against, contrary," → anti-, + kâm "desire, wish;" Mid.Pers. kâm "desire, wish;" cf. Skt. kāma- "desire, wish."