Dictionary

pertness en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈpəːtnəs/ (UK)

Etymology

Etymology tree English pert Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English pertness From pert + -ness.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) The quality of being pert; cheekiness, impudence.
   • He was completely bald and had a heavy, Chinese-looking countenance which contained, deeply embedded, two eyes of penetration and pertness, always twinkling on the edge of laughter. 1983, Lawrence Durrell, Sebastian, Faber & Faber 2004 (Avignon Quintet), p. 1021
   • Dinwiddie, who did not love her, having indeed undergone a hundred pertnesses from the imperious little lady, […] 1857–1859, W[illiam] M[akepeace] Thackeray, The Virginians. A Tale of the Last Century, volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury & Evans, […], published 1858–1859, →OCLC:
2. (countable, uncountable) The quality of being pert; firmness (usually of breasts).

Forms