impishly
|im-pish-ly|
C1
/ˈɪmpɪʃli/
(impish)
playfully mischievous
Etymology
Etymology Information
'impish' originates from the word 'imp,' which comes from Old English 'impa,' meaning 'young shoot' or 'graft.'
Historical Evolution
'imp' evolved from the Old English word 'impa' and eventually became associated with mischievous children or small demons, leading to the adjective 'impish.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, 'imp' referred to a young shoot or graft, but over time it evolved to mean a mischievous child or small demon, leading to the playful connotation of 'impish.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a manner that is mischievous or playful, often in a way that is endearing.
She smiled impishly as she hid the surprise behind her back.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42