Antonyms for pertness

Grammar : Noun

Spell : purt

Phonetic Transcription : pɜrt

Definition of pertness

Origin : c.1300 (implied in pertly), "evident, unconcealed," shortened form of Middle English apert "open, frank," from Old French apert, from Latin apertus, past participle of aperire "to open" (see overt). Sense of "saucy, bold" first recorded late 14c. Less pejorative meaning "lively, brisk, in good spirits" (c.1500) survives in U.S. dialectal peart (with Middle English alternative spelling). Related: Pertness.

noun impudence
noun spirit

Example sentences :

And Garnache cursed this pertness of hers which was serving to dare him on.
Extract from : « St. Martin's Summer » by Rafael Sabatini

Then, mindful of her manners, she tempered the pertness with a smile.
Extract from : « Rim o' the World » by B. M. Bower

The Lords do not encourage wit, and so are obliged to put up with pertness.
Extract from : « The Young Duke » by Benjamin Disraeli

The pertness of tone and words, alike, fanned his father's resentment into a blaze.
Extract from : « Bob, Son of Battle » by Alfred Ollivant

His pertness is all in his appearance; never did looks so belie a timid character!
Extract from : « The Thames » by G. E. Mitton

Polly held her head high at the thought that he had not forgotten her pertness.
Extract from : « A Nest of Linnets » by Frank Frankfort Moore

And I like her better so, than to answer pert with pertness.
Extract from : « Mary Anerley » by R. D. Blackmore

Come, come, no pertness—but let me bid you welcome to the castle.
Extract from : « The Widow's Vow » by Elizabeth Inchbald

Now all her pertness to the former, she says, fly in her face.
Extract from : « Clarissa, Or The History Of A Young Lady, Volume 8 » by Samuel Richardson

Almost Kenny could see him chirking up into insolence and the pertness of a bird.
Extract from : « Kenny » by Leona Dalrymple

Synonyms for pertness

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019