peart

American  

[peert, pyert] / pɪərt, pyɛrt /

adjective

Dialect.

1. lively; brisk; cheerful.

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peart British  

/ pɪət /

adjective

1. dialect lively; spirited; brisk

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Other Word Forms

• peartly adverb
• peartness noun

Etymology

Origin of peart

First recorded in 1590–1600; variant of pert

Example Sentences

An' den she'd take some in her mouf' an' put hit in de baby's mouf an' hit wud open hits eyes an' stamp hits foot rail peart lack.

From Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume I, Alabama Narratives by United States. Work Projects Administration

The twins, Lucindy an' Lucy, air real peart, too, fur ther age, jes' turned intah ther ninth year.

From Crestlands A Centennial Story of Cane Ridge by Bayne, Mary Addams

I told him I wuz tollable peart, and he says: "I see a man in the third car forward that wuz inquiring for you, and wanted to see you powerful bad."

From Si Klegg, Book 3 (of 6) Si And Shorty Meet Mr. Rosenbaum, The Spy, Who Relates His Adventures by McElroy, John

I never thought he’d get a nice, peart, stylish girl like you to follow him off to a place like this.

From The Locusts' Years by Fee, Mary Helen

"By jingo! it takes the patience of all the world and the rest of mankind to dance attendance upon them—they ain't as peart as our gals o' wind!" cried Mr. Smith, in an ecstasy of impatience.

From The American Gentleman's Guide to Politeness and Fashion or, Familiar Letters to his Nephews by Lunettes, Henry