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imp
[ imp ]
/ ɪmp /
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Definition of imp
noun
a little devil or demon; an evil spirit.
a mischievous child.
Archaic. a scion or offshoot of a plant or tree.
Archaic. an offspring.
verb (used with object)
Falconry.
- to graft (feathers) into a wing.
- to furnish (a wing, tail, etc.) with feathers, as to make good losses or deficiencies and improve powers of flight.
Archaic. to add a piece to; mend or repair.
QUIZ
SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?
Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!
Question 1 of 6
Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?
Origin of imp
before 900; (noun) Middle English impe,Old English impa, impe shoot, graft <Late Latin impotus, imputus grafted shoot <Greek émphytos planted, implanted, verbal adjective of emphŷein to implant (em-em-2 + phŷein to bring forth); (v.) Middle English impen to plant, graft, Old English impian, geimpian, derivative of the noun (compare Old High German impfōn, impitōn>German impfen to inoculate); sense “demon” < phrase imp of the devil
Words nearby imp
immutable, IMNSHO, IMO, Imodium, Imogene, imp, impact, impact adhesive, impacted, impacted fetus, impacted fracture
Other definitions for imp (2 of 6)
IMP
International Match Point.
Other definitions for imp (3 of 6)
imp.1
abbreviation
in the first place.
Origin of imp.
1From the Latin word imprīmīs
Other definitions for imp (4 of 6)
imp.2
abbreviation
Other definitions for imp (5 of 6)
Imp.1
abbreviation
Emperor.
Origin of Imp.
1From the Latin word Imperātor
Other definitions for imp (6 of 6)
Imp.2
abbreviation
Empress.
Origin of Imp.
2From the Latin word Imperātrīx
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use imp in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for imp (1 of 3)
imp
/ (ɪmp) /
noun
a small demon or devil; mischievous sprite
a mischievous child
verb
(tr) falconry to insert (new feathers) into the stumps of broken feathers in order to repair the wing of a hawk or falcon
Word Origin for imp
Old English impa bud, graft, hence offspring, child, from impian to graft, ultimately from Greek emphutos implanted, from emphuein to implant, from phuein to plant
British Dictionary definitions for imp (2 of 3)
imp.
abbreviation for
imperative
imperfect
imperial
imprimatur
British Dictionary definitions for imp (3 of 3)
Imp.
abbreviation for
Imperator
Imperatrix
Imperial
Word Origin for Imp.
(for sense 1) Latin: Emperor; (for sense 2) Latin: Empress
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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