/ ˈmɪstʃɪvəs; NAmE / adjective
1.
enjoying playing tricks and annoying people
SYN naughty :
a mischievous boy
a mischievous grin / smile / look
2.
( formal ) ( of an action or a statement ) causing trouble, such as damaging sb's reputation :
mischievous lies / gossip
► mis·chiev·ous·ly adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Anglo-Norman French meschevous , from Old French meschever come to an unfortunate end, from mes- adversely + chever come to an end (from chef head). The early sense was unfortunate or calamitous , later having harmful effects ; the sense playfully troublesome dates from the late 17th cent.