Pert

(14), a. [Abbreviated from O. Fr. apert, open, known, true, free, impudent, from Lat. apertus, open, free, frank, p. p. of aperire, to uncover, to open; Pr. apert, It. aperto, Sp. abierto, Pg. aberto; W. pert, smart, spruce, dapper, nice, pert, probably from Eng. pert.]

1Sense 1. Lively; brisk; smart. [Obs.]

Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth. Shak.

On the lawny sands and shelves Trip the pert fairies and the dapper elves. Milton.

2Sense 2. Indecorously free, or presuming; forward; saucy; bold; impertinent; impudent.

A lady bids me, in a very pert manner, mind my own affairs. Addison.

3Sense 3. Open; evident; plain; apert. [Obs.] Chaucer.

To behave with pertness or impudence; to be saucy. [Obs.] Bp. Gauden.