malapert — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A cheeky, impudent, or saucy person.

   Usage

   • Archaic

Adjective

1. Cheeky, impudent, saucy.

   Usage

   • Archaic

   Synonyms

   cheeky

   Examples

   The follest slouen ondyr heuen, / Prowde, peuiche, lyddyr, and lewde, / Malapert, medyllar, nothyng well thewde, […]

   More examples (3)

   Nevertheleſſe I finde him [Iohn Bodine] ſomewhat malapert and bolde in that paſſage of his Methode of Hiſtorie, when he accuseth Plutarke, not onely of ignorance […] but alſo that he often writeth, things altogether incredible and meerely fabulous (theſe are his very words).

   […] Take heed of filling their [i.e., children's] heads with VVhimzies, and unprofitable Notions; for this vvill ſooner learn them to be malepert and proud, than ſober and humble.

   A proud heart, evidencing itself in a saucy, malapert, aweless, and careless carriage, is most unbeseeming the condition of servants, and highly displeasing to God in them, as being opposite to that property of fear and trembling which ought to accompany their obedience: "Be obedient with fear and trembling."

   ‘Seize me this malapert caitiff! Bolt and shackle him!’