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mischievous
mis·chie·vous / ˈmischivəs/ • adj. (of a person, animal, or their behavior) causing or showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way: two mischievous kittens had decorated the bed with shredded newspaper. ∎ (of an action or thing) causing or intended to cause harm or trouble: a mischievous allegation for which there is not a shred of evidence. DERIVATIVES: mis·chie·vous·ly adv. mis·chie·vous·ness n. ORIGIN: Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French meschevous, from Old French meschever ‘come to an unfortunate end’ (see mischief). The early sense was ‘unfortunate or calamitous,’ later ‘having harmful effects’; the sense ‘playfully troublesome’ dates from the late 17th cent. |
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"mischievous." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "mischievous." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-mischievous.html "mischievous." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-mischievous.html |
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Mischief
MISCHIEFA specific injury or damage caused by another person's action or inaction. Incivil law, a person who suffered physical injury due to thenegligenceof another person could allege mischief in a lawsuit intort. For example, if a baseball is hit through a person's window by accident, and the resident within is injured, mischief can be claimed. It is distinct from malicious mischief, which is a criminal act usually involving reckless or intentional behavior such asvandalism. |
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"Mischief." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Mischief." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437702947.html "Mischief." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437702947.html |
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mischief
mischief † misfortune, distress XIII; harm, injury XIV; cause of harm XVI; conduct causing petty trouble, playful maliciousness XVIII. — OF. mesch(i)ef, (mod. méchef), f. meschever meet with misfortune, f. mes- MIS-2 + chever ‘come to a head’, happen:- Rom. *capāre, f. *capum, L. caput head.
So mischievous † unfortunate XIV; harmful XV; disposed to acts of playful malice XVII. — AN. meschevous, f. OE. meschever. See -OUS. |
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "mischief." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "mischief." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-mischief.html T. F. HOAD. "mischief." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-mischief.html |
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mischief
mis·chief / ˈmischif/ • n. playful misbehavior or troublemaking, esp. in children: she'll make sure Danny doesn't get into mischief. ∎ playfulness that is intended to tease, mock, or create trouble: her eyes twinkled with irrepressible mischief. ∎ harm or trouble caused by someone or something: she was bent on making mischief. ∎ archaic a person responsible for harm or annoyance. |
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Cite this article
"mischief." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "mischief." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-mischief.html "mischief." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-mischief.html |
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mischief
mischief •biff, cliff, glyph, if, kif, miff, niff, quiff, riff, skew-whiff, skiff, sniff, spliff, stiff, tiff, whiff
•mischief • handkerchief
•neckerchief • kerchief • Cardiff
•Radcliffe
•bailiff, calif, caliph
•Wyclif • Northcliffe • anaglyph
•hieroglyph • tariff
•serif, sheriff
•midriff • hippogriff • mastiff • caitiff
•plaintiff • pontiff • Joseph
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Cite this article
"mischief." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "mischief." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-mischief.html "mischief." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-mischief.html |
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mischievous
mischievous •Malthus
•acanthus, agapanthus, clianthus, dianthus, helianthus, polyanthus
•Hyacinthus • Aegisthus • traverse
•canvas, canvass
•Selvas • grievous • mischievous
•redivivus • fulvous • nervous
•Peleus, rebellious
•Kansas • Jesus
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Cite this article
"mischievous." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "mischievous." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-mischievous.html "mischievous." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-mischievous.html |
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