Search the Dictionary

mishap; trivial evil caused by thoughtlessness, or in sport. Chaucer. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs. Ps. lii. 2. The practice whereof shall, I hope, secure me from many mischiefs. Fuller.

One who makes mischief; one who excites or instigates quarrels or enmity.

The act or practice of making mischief, inciting quarrels, etc.

Mischievous. [R.] Lydgate.

Mischievous. [Obs.] Foote.

Hence: In a state to be diffused or propagated; afoot; astir. "Mischiefs that I set abroach." Shak.

sdom or perception that comes after it can be of use. "After- wit comes too late when the mischief is done." L'Estrange.

, or a package containing a relic, etc., worn as a charm or preservative against evils or mischief, such as diseases and witchcraft, and generally inscribed with mystic forms or characters.

or with interest; to direct. To bend his mind to any public business. Temple. But when to mischief mortals bend their will. Pope.

ition, desires, etc., and used with on; as, to be bent on going to college; he is bent on mischief.

or discernment. "To blind the truth and me." Tennyson. A blind guide is certainly a great mischief; but a guide that blinds those whom he should lead is . . . a much greater. South.

ts; to be the omen of; to portend to presage; to foreshow. A raven that bodes nothing but mischief. Goldsmith. Good onset bodes good end. Spenser.

foment or prepare, as by brewing; to contrive; to plot; to concoct; to hatch; as, to brew mischief. Hence with thy brewed enchantments, foul deceiver! Milton.

A charm; an incantation; a shell; a trick; adroit mischief. [Written also cantraip.] [Scot.]

confer secretly and confidentially; to converse, especially with evil intentions; to plot mischief. [Archaic or Colloq.] Pray go in; and, sister, salve the matter, Collogue with her again, and all shall be well. Greene. He had been colloguing with my wife. Thackeray.

or harm to person, property, or reputation; an inflicted loss of value; detriment; hurt; mischief. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet and drinketh damage. Prov. xxvi. 6. Great errors and absurdities many commit for want of a friend to tell them of them, to the great damage both of the…

To terrify; to daunt. [Obs.] For I have done those follies, those mad mischiefs, Would dare a woman. Beau. & Fl. To dare larks, to catch them by producing terror through to use of mirrors, scarlet cloth, a hawk, etc., so that they lie still till a net is thrown over them. Nares.

Reckless mischief; the action of a dare-devil.

That which injures or causes damage; mischief; harm; diminution; loss; damage; -- used very generically; as, detriments to property, religion, morals, etc. I can repair That detriment, if such it be. Milton.

Diabolical conduct; malignant mischief; devilry. C. Reade.