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pertness

noun

No English definition recorded for this entry.

L325341 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈpəːtnəs/

noun

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.

  1. The quality of being pert; cheekiness, impudence.

    Dinwiddie, who did not love her, having indeed undergone a hundred pertnesses from the imperious little lady, […]

    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.

  2. The quality of being pert; firmness (usually of breasts).