imp
imp Lexical Profile
imp Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A small, mischievous devil, sprite, or minor demon in folklore and mythology.
"European folklore often portrays the imp as a Diminutive trickster rather than a truly malevolent fiend."
A lively, mischievous, or playfully unruly child.
"The little imp hid her brother's shoes just before the family had to leave for school."
A young shoot, scion, or slip of a plant or tree used for grafting (archaic).
"The orchardist carefully selected a healthy imp from the prized apple tree to graft onto the rootstock."
• verb
To repair a damaged feather on the wing or tail of a trained bird by attaching a new feather shaft onto the broken stump (in falconry).
"The falconer had to imp the hawk's broken primary feather before the bird could fly evenly again."
• Rhymes for imp
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'impa' ('young shoot, scion, or graft of a plant'), ultimately from Late Latin 'imputus' and Ancient Greek 'emphytos' ('implanted'). The word evolved from denoting a botanical shoot to meaning a scion or child of a noble house, then an 'offspring of the devil', and finally a minor, mischievous demon or playful child.