/ pɜːt; NAmE pɜːrt/ adjective
1.
( especially of a girl or young woman ) showing a lack of respect, especially in a cheerful and amusing way
SYN impudent :
a pert reply
2.
( of a part of the body ) small, firm and attractive :
a pert nose
pert features
► pert·ly adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense manifest ): from Old French apert , from Latin apertus opened, past participle of aperire , reinforced by Old French aspert , from Latin expertus , past participle of experiri try.