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malapert

[mal-uh-purt]Archaic.
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adjective
  1. unbecomingly bold or saucy.
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noun
  1. a malapert person.
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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. 2018

Examples from the Web for malapert

Historical Examples

  • 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.

  • 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.

British Dictionary definitions for malapert

malapert

adjective
  1. saucy or impudent
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noun
  1. a saucy or impudent person
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Derived Formsmalapertly, adverbmalapertness, noun

Word Origin

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper