Search Result for "malapert": 

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

malapert \mal"a*pert\ (m[a^]l"[.a]*p[~e]rt), a. [OF. malapert unskillful, ill-taught, ill-bred; mal ill + apert open, adroit, intelligent, L. apertus, p. p. of aperire to open. See Malice, and Aperient.] Bold; forward; impudent; saucy; pert. --Shak. -- n. A malapert person. [1913 Webster] Are you growing malapert! Will you force me to make use of my authority ? --Dryden. [1913 Webster] -- Mal"a*pert`ly, adv. -- mal"a*pert`ness, n. [1913 Webster]