subs. (colloquial).—A mischievous brat; a small or minor devil: originally, a child. [TRENCH: there are epitaphs extant commencing ‘Here lies that noble IMP; and Lord Cromwell writing to Henry VIII. speaks of ‘that noble IMP, your son.’]

1

  1771.  BEATTIE, The Minstrel, Bk. I., st. xvi.

        Nor cared to mingle in the clamorous fray
Of squabbling IMPS.

2

  2.  (legal).—A man who gets up cases for a DEVIL (q.v.).

3