Noah Webster
Pert
PERT, adjective
1. Lively; brisk; smart.
Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth.
On the lawny sands and shelves,
Trip the pert fairies, and the dapper elves.
2. Forward; saucy; bold; indecorously free.
A lady bids me in a very pert manner mind my own affairs--