好词典

imp

UK //ɪmp//US //ɪmp//

词源

源自古英语impa/ympa(嫩枝、嫁接物),后受古法语empe(嫁接)影响;名词含义可能来自民间传说中顽皮小精灵的形象演变。

noun

❶ 指淘气的小鬼或小恶魔,常用来形容顽皮的小孩或想象中的小妖怪,带有可爱或调皮的意味。

“The little boy was such an imp, always playing tricks on his sister.”

(那个小男孩真是个淘气鬼,总爱捉弄他姐姐。)

“In the story, the imp helped the wizard with his magic spells.”

(故事里,小精灵帮巫师施展魔法咒语。)

同义词:rascal, scamp, mischief-maker

verb

❶ 嫁接羽毛到鸟的翅膀上,特指修复猎鹰的飞羽。这是古老的猎鹰训练术语。

“The falconer imped new feathers to the injured hawk.”

(驯鹰师给受伤的鹰嫁接新的飞羽。)

“Ancient manuals detail how to properly imp a bird's wing.”

(古代手册详细记载了如何正确嫁接鸟翼羽毛。)

同义词:graft, attach

常见短语

impish grin — 形容像小恶魔般顽皮的笑容,通常带着恶作剧或淘气的意味。

“He gave me an impish grin before hiding my notebook.”

(他露出淘气的笑容,然后藏起了我的笔记本。)