malapert

[mal-uh-purt]Archaic.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR malapert ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

unbecomingly bold or saucy.

noun

a malapert person.

Origin of malapert

1375–1425; late Middle English: insolent < Middle French: unskillful. See mal-, pert

Related formsmal·a·pert·ly, adverbmal·a·pert·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for malapert

arrant, assuming, assumptive, audacious, barefaced, blatant, bold, brash, brassy, brazen, bumptious, cheeky, cocky, contumelious, cool, disrespectful, familiar, flip, flippant, forward

Examples from the Web for malapert

Historical Examples of malapert

Malapert and Lehideux are still well represented in the Paris Directory.
The Romance of Names
Ernest Weekley
"I'll e'en fetch him to you myself, malapert," said Warrenton.
Robin Hood
Paul Creswick
Another word of that kind, and I'll show you how malapert lads are treated.
The Burgomaster's Wife, Complete
Georg Ebers
I will say what I will in mine own house, thou evil, malapert boy!
The Lost Treasure of Trevlyn
Evelyn Everett-Green
One morning, his barber, a malapert of the old comedies, ventured to ask him what he was thinking of.
The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 4, July, 1851
Various

British Dictionary definitions for malapert

malapert

adjective

saucy or impudent

noun

a saucy or impudent person

Derived Formsmalapertly, adverbmalapertness, noun

Word Origin for malapert

C15: from Old French: unskilful (see mal-, expert); meaning in English influenced by apert frank, from Latin apertus open

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for malapert

adj.

"impudent," early 15c., from Old French mal apert, literally "ill-skilled," from mal- "badly" (see mal-) + apert "skillful," variant of espert "experienced, skillful, clever" (from Latin expertus; see expert). Related: Malapertly; malapertness.