/imp/ , n.
1. a little devil or demon; an evil spirit.
2. a mischievous child.
3. Archaic. a scion or offshoot of a plant or tree.
4. Archaic. an offspring.
v.t.
5. Falconry.
a. to graft (feathers) into a wing.
b. to furnish (a wing, tail, etc.) with feathers, as to make good losses or deficiencies and improve powers of flight.
6. Archaic. to add a piece to; mend or repair.
[ bef. 900; (n.) ME impe, OE impa, impe shoot, graft impotus, imputus grafted shoot émphytos planted, implanted, v. adj. of emphyein to implant ( em- EM- 2 + phyein to bring forth); (v.) ME impen to plant, graft, OE impian, geimpian, deriv. of the n. (cf. OHG impfon, impiton > G impfen to inoculate); sense "demon"
imp of the devil ]
Syn. 2. scamp, rascal, brat, devil.