I. ˈpər]t, ˈpə̄], ˈpəi], usu ]d.+V adjective
( usually -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, modification of Old French apert — more at apert
1. obsolete : clever , sharp
the pertest operations of wit — John Milton
2.
a. : marked by a saucy freedom and forwardness : flippantly cocky and self-assertive : impudent , impertinent
children were pert , disobedient, irreverent at home — Dixon Wecter
especially : mischievously or heedlessly aggressive and rather disrespectful
was amused by the boy's pert answer
with a pert toss of her head — W.M.Thackeray
pert little girls in short frocks — Siegfried Sassoon
b. : marked by a smart crisp jauntiness : trim and chic
the pert little hat — F. Tennyson Jesse
bought a pert little business suit for herself
stories about pert young career girls and junior executives — J.D.Adams
c. : piquantly stimulating
is a pert notion and one to fascinate the attention — G.J.Nathan
a pert turn in the end of a sentence — O.W.Holmes †1935
3.
a.
(1) : full of good spirits and vitality : chipper and frisky : full of pep
felt pert and relaxed after their long vacation
(2) : lively , brisk , spry
were moving along at a pert pace
b. : brightly vivacious : perky
was as rosy and pert as a schoolgirl — Vera Caspary
finds fun in pert , informal chatter — Flora Lewis
II. adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from pert, adjective
: pertly
III. abbreviation
pertaining