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.). 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.
[ ME f. OF meschief f. meschever (as MIS-(2), chever come to an end f. chef head: see CHIEF) ]