Imp
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221652379
2008-06-25T13:46:35Z
Earin
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[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 221646906 by [[Special:Contributions/203.87.29.238|203.87.29.238]] ([[User talk:203.87.29.238|talk]])
::''This article is about the mythical creature. For other uses see [[IMP]].''
{{Unreliable|date=July 2007}}
[[Image:TheLincolnImp.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Lincoln Imp]] (at the bottom of the upper V)]]
An '''imp''' is a [[mythology|mythological]] being similar to a [[fairy]] or [[demon]], frequently described in [[folklore]] and [[superstition]]. The word derives from the term <!-- Middle English? -->''ympe'', used to denote a young [[grafting|grafted]] tree.
Imps are usually described as mischievous more than seriously threatening, and as lesser beings rather than more important supernatural beings. The attendants of the [[devil]] are sometimes described as imps. They are usually described as lively and having small stature.
==Folklore==
[[Image:Feeding demonic imps.jpg|thumb|Old woodcut showing woman feeding imps]]
Some accounts of imps treat them as capable of being turned to good, because they are so desperately lonely they would do almost anything—even commit good deeds—to have a committed friend.
The [[Ancient Greek]] [[demigod]] [[Pan (mythology)|Pan]] has some features in common with an imp, but this is unlikely to be a direct connection, since the imp concept probably belongs to Germanic rather than Hellenic tradition. However, imps are sometimes described as fond of music, and capable of being charmed into making a promise to aid, and "do good" in that manner through music—though there is always likely to be some mischievous trick to be attached to the barter.{{Fact|date=April 2007}}
Imps were the common name given to [[familiar spirit]]s that served [[witch]]es in the [[middle ages]]. Imps were usually kept inside artifacts such as gemstone pieces or vials and summoned for service by [[magic (paranormal)|magics]]. An example of such an imp is one that was supposedly under the service of the alchemist [[Paracelsus]].
== See also ==
* [[Mandragora (demon)]]
* [[Gremlin]]
* [[Puck (mythology)|Puck]]
* [[Kallikantzaros]]
* [[Goblin]]
* [[Kappa (mythical creature)|Kappa]]
==Notes==
<references />
==References==
[[Category:Demons]]
[[Category:European legendary creatures]]
{{legendary-creature-stub}}
{{Template:Fairies}}
[[cs:Šotek]]
[[it:Folletto]]
[[lt:Impas]]
[[ja:インプ (悪魔)]]
[[simple:Imp]]
[[sv:Imp]]