pertness

English

Etymology

From pert +‎ -ness.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈpəːtnəs/

Noun

pertness (countable and uncountable, plural pertnesses)

  1. The quality of being pert; cheekiness, impudence.
    • 1857–1859, W[illiam] M[akepeace] Thackeray, The Virginians. A Tale of the Last Century, volumes (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury & Evans, […], published 1858–1859, →OCLC:
      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.
  2. The quality of being pert; firmness (usually of breasts).

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