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definitions

peart

[peert, pyert]
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adjective Dialect.

lively; brisk; cheerful.

Origin of peart

First recorded in 1590–1600; variant of pert
Related formspeart·ly, adverbpeart·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for peart

Historical Examples of peart

  • Peart and cunnin', but a heap too wise fur you, son; take my steer on that.

    The Spenders

    Harry Leon Wilson

  • A while ago he was all down in the mouth, and now he's peart as a cricket.

    Uncle Tom's Cabin

    Harriet Beecher Stowe

  • Ain't quite as peart as one of the other Bobs I could tell you about.

    The Jucklins

    Opie Read

  • He uster be chipper, an' peart, an' clost frens with me; an' now he don't say nothin.

    A Pessimist

    Robert Timsol

  • They're peart and sound as heart could wish, and so knowin'!

    Donald and Dorothy

    Mary Mapes Dodge

British Dictionary definitions for peart

peart

adjective

dialect lively; spirited; brisk
Derived Formspeartly, adverbpeartness, noun

Word Origin for peart

C15: variant of pert
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 peart
adj.

variant of pert (q.v.).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper