Pert

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)tRhymes (US, Virginia, Appalachian):

Origin

Aphetic form of apert.

Full definition of pert

Adjective

1. Attractive (of a person); well-formed, shapely (of a part of the body). from 14th c.
2. Lively; alert and cheerful; bright. from 16th c.
• 1594, William Shakespeare, , Act 1, Scene 1:"Go Philostrate, Stirre vp the Athenian youth to merriments, Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth"
3. (now rare) Cheeky, impertinent (especially of children or social inferiors). from 15th c.
• 2009, Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall, Fourth Estate 2010, p. 333:"You'll not be so pert when the Cornish seize you. They spit children like you and roast them on bonfires."
4. (obsolete) Open; evident; unhidden; apert. 14th-17th c.

Synonyms

Derived terms

• pertly
• pertness

Verb

1. (intransitive, obsolete) To behave with pertness.

Anagrams

• terp