Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IMP, n. [W. imp, a shoot or cion; Sw. ymp, Dan. ympe, id.]

1. A son; offspring; progeny. The tender imp was weaned. Fairfax. A lad of life, an imp of fame. Shak.
2. A subaltern or puny devil. Hooker. Milton. [“Imp, an addition to a bee-hive; also, one length of hair twisted, as forming part of a fishing-line.” J.T. Brockett's Glossary of North Country Words, 2^nd edit. p. 164. – E. H. B.]