n.1 conduct which is troublesome, but not malicious, esp. in children.
2 pranks, scrapes (get into mischief; keep out of mischief).
3 playful malice, archness, satire (eyes full of mischief).
4 harm or injury caused by a person or thing.
5 a person or thing responsible for harm or annoyance (that loose connection is the mischief).
6 (prec. by the) the annoying part or aspect (the mischief of it is that etc.).
Phrases and idioms:
do a person a mischief wound or kill a person. get up to (or make) mischief create discord. mischief-maker one who encourages discord, esp. by gossip etc.
Etymology: ME f. OF meschief f. meschever (as MIS-(2), chever come to an end f. chef head: see CHIEF)