a. [ OF. malapert unskillful, ill-taught, ill-bred; mal ill + apert open, adroit, intelligent, L. apertus, p. p. of aperire to open. See Malice, and Aperient. ] Bold; forward; impudent; saucy; pert. Shak. -- n. A malapert person. [ 1913 Webster ]

Are you growing malapert! Will you force me to make use of my authority ? Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Mal"a*pert`ly, adv. -- mal"a*pert`ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]