Imp (ĭmp), n. [OE. imp a graft, AS. impa; akin to Dan. ympe, Sw. ymp, prob. fr. LL. impotus, Gr. � engrafted, innate, fr. � to implant; � in + � to produce; akin to E. be. See 1st In-, Be.] 1. A shoot; a scion; a bud; a slip; a graft. Chaucer.
2. An offspring; progeny; child; scion.
The tender imp was weaned. Fairfax.
3. A young or inferior devil; a little, malignant spirit; a puny demon; a contemptible evil worker.
To mingle in the clamorous fray
Of squabbling imps. Beattie.
4. Something added to, or united with, another, to lengthen it out or repair it, — as, an addition to a beehive; a feather inserted in a broken wing of a bird; a length of twisted hair in a fishing line.