pert (pûrt)
adj. pert·er, pert·est
1. Trim and stylish in appearance; jaunty: a pert hat.
2. High-spirited; vivacious.
3. Impudently bold; saucy.

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[Middle English, unconcealed, bold, short for apert, obvious, frank (probably influenced by Old French aspert, espert, clever), from Old French, from Latin apertus, open, past participle of aperre, to open; see wer-4 in Indo-European roots.]

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pertly adv.
pertness n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words AntonymsAdj. 1. pert - characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality; "a certain irreverent gaiety and ease of manner"
impertinent, saucy, irreverent
spirited - displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness
www.thefreedictionary.com/pert

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Note added at 33 mins (2005-09-20 00:06:58 GMT)
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Adj. 1. saucy - characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality; "a certain irreverent gaiety and ease of manner"
impertinent, pert, irreverent
spirited - displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness
2. saucy - improperly forward or bold; "don't be fresh with me"; "impertinent of a child to lecture a grownup"; "an impudent boy given to insulting strangers"
overbold, sassy, impudent, impertinent, smart, fresh
forward - used of temperament or behavior; lacking restraint or modesty; "a forward child badly in need of discipline"


Mentioned in References in classic literature
act
behave
chit
do
fresh
hoyden
hussy
malapert
mischievous
naughty
sauce
soubrette
To sell bargains


you are below my anger; and it is beneath me to give ill words to such an audacious saucy trollop; but, hussy, I must tell you, your breeding shows the meanness of your birth as well as of your education; and both very properly qualify you to be the mean serving-woman of a country girl.
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Fielding, Henry View in context
His fishing-boat was called The Saucy Sally--a cutter-rigged sloop.
The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Lofting, Hugh View in context
Again, a young girl, more bold and saucy than was fitting, brushed the priest's black robe, singing in his face the sardonic ditty, "niche, niche, the devil is caught.
Notre-Dame de Paris by Hugo, Victor View in context

www.thefreedictionary.com/saucy (an encyclopedia)