Is 'imp' English, or is it actually Greek?

'Imp' is a word borrowed from Greek 'emphuein'. The word entered the English language some time around the 15th century.

imp [verb] [15th century]

• to graft or repair (a wing, tail, or feather) with a feather to improve a falcon's flying capacity
• to equip with wings

Meaning: to graft or repair (a wing; tail; or feather) with a feather to improve a falcon's flying capacity; to equip with wings.

Etymology: Middle English; from Old English impian to graft; from Vulgar Latin *imputare; from Late Latin impotus grafted shoot; from Greek emphytos implanted; from emphyein to implant; from em- en- + phyein to bring forth be.

Topics: Religion:Mythology.

Origin: From Greek to English.

See 'imp' on the Loan Words Map

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