pertness
English
Etymology
From pert + -ness.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈpəːtnəs/
Noun
pertness (countable and uncountable, plural pertnesses)
- The quality of being pert; cheekiness, impudence.
- 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 1061908157:
- Dinwiddie, who did not love her, having indeed undergone a hundred pertnesses from the imperious little lady, […]
- 1983, Lawrence Durrell, Sebastian, Faber & Faber 2004 (Avignon Quintet), p. 1021:
- 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.
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- The quality of being pert; firmness (usually of breasts).
Anagrams
- pensters, presents, serpents