Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PERT, a. [W. pert, smart, spruce; probably allied to perk, primarily, erect, from shooting up or forward.]

1. Lively; brisk; smart. Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth. – Shak. 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. – Addison.