— soubrettish , adj.
/sooh bret"/ , n.
1. a maidservant or lady's maid in a play, opera, or the like, esp. one displaying coquetry, pertness, and a tendency to engage in intrigue.
2. an actress playing such a role.
3. any lively or pert young woman.
[ 1745-55; soubreto, deriv. of soubret affected, ult. deriv. of OPr sobrar superare to be above ]