imp.

¹

abbreviation for

1. in the first place.

Imp.

²

abbreviation for

1. Emperor.

imp.

³

abbreviation for

1. imperative.
2. imperfect.
3. imperial.
4. impersonal.
5. implement.
6. import.
7. important.
8. imported.
9. importer.
10. imprimatur.
11. imprint.
12. improper.
13. improved.
14. improvement.

Imp.

⁴

abbreviation for

1. Empress.

imp

⁵

[ imp ]

noun

1. a little devil or demon; an evil spirit.
2. a mischievous child.

   Synonyms: devil, brat, rascal, scamp

3. Archaic. a scion or offshoot of a plant or tree.
4. Archaic. an offspring.

verb (used with object)

1. Falconry.
   1. to graft (feathers) into a wing.
   2. to furnish (a wing, tail, etc.) with feathers, as to make good losses or deficiencies and improve powers of flight.
2. Archaic. to add a piece to; mend or repair.

IMP

⁶

1. International Match Point.

imp

¹

/ ɪmp /

noun

1. a small demon or devil; mischievous sprite
2. a mischievous child

verb

1. tr falconry to insert (new feathers) into the stumps of broken feathers in order to repair the wing of a hawk or falcon

imp.

²

abbreviation for

1. imperative
2. imperfect
3. imperial
4. imprimatur

Imp.

³

abbreviation for

1. Imperator
2. Imperatrix
3. Imperial

Word History and Origins

Origin of imp.¹

From the Latin word imprīmīs

Origin of imp.²

From the Latin word Imperātor

Origin of imp.³

From the Latin word Imperātrīx

Origin of imp.⁴

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of imp.¹

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

Origin of imp.²

(for sense 1) Latin: Emperor; (for sense 2) Latin: Empress

Example Sentences

“Let me go!” the imp screamed, desperately clutching its red hat with little, white-knuckled fists as it kicked at Jack with all its strength.

From Literature

In performance, while his bandmates concentrated on their instruments, Mr. Suzuki shimmied around the stage like a psychedelic imp, often barefoot and shirtless, his face hidden by an undulating mane of long black hair.

From New York Times

She’s also been inspired by the costume designer Machine Dazzle, imp_kid, and others.

From New York Times

The experienced tempter warns the imp not to let his subject actually believe in God or satanic powers.

From Washington Times

Inky silhouettes in a red-orange void, they look like Boschian imps, but these are ordinary men in a hell of human making.

From New York Times