Spitefulness
/ˈspaɪt.fəl.nəs/noun
The quality of being spiteful; a mean-spirited desire to annoy, hurt, or offend.
Did you know?The core word spite entered English in the 13th century from Old French, where it meant a sharp impulse or desire, and only later hardened into the bitter, petty malice we recognize today.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*spend-
“to make a ritual offering, perform a solemn act”
Latin
Latin
spondēre
“to promise, pledge, or solemnly engage”
Old French
Old French
despit
“contempt, indignation, offense”
Middle English
English
spite
“contempt, offense, or resentment”
Modern English
English
spitefulness
“the quality of being spiteful or malicious”
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