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malapert

 - 3 dictionary results

mal⋅a⋅pert

  [mal-uh-purt] Archaic.
Use malapert in a Sentence
–adjective
1. unbecomingly bold or saucy.
–noun
2. a malapert person.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME: insolent < MF: unskillful. See mal-, pert

Related forms:
mal⋅a⋅pert⋅ly, adverb
mal⋅a⋅pert⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To malapert
mal·a·pert   (māl'ə-pûrt')   
adj.  Impudently bold in speech or manner; saucy.
n.  An impudent, saucy person.

[Middle English, from Old French : mal-, mal- + apert, clever, alteration (influenced by apert, clever, saucy; see pert) of Latin expertus; see expert.]
mal'a·pert'ly adv., mal'a·pert'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

malapert 
"impudent," c.1420, from O.Fr. mal apert, lit. "ill-skilled," from mal- "badly" + apert "skillful," variant of espert "experienced, skillful, clever" (from L. expertus, see expert).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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