malapertness

== English == === Alternative forms === malepertness (archaic) === Etymology === From Middle English malepertnesse; equivalent to malapert +‎ -ness. === Noun === malapertness (uncountable) (obsolete) The condition of being malapert. [15th–18th c.] , II.12: if once it be possessed with the boldnesse to despise, and malapertnesse to impugne the opinions which tofore it held in awfull reverence […], they will soone and easily admit an equall uncertainty in all other parts of their beleefe […].