MISCHIEF • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Mischief

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/mˈɪstʃəf/ Listen

noun

Mischief n.

1.

Harm; damage; esp., disarrangement of order; trouble or vexation caused by human agency or by some living being, intentionally or not; often, calamity, mishap; trivial evil caused by thoughtlessness, or in sport. "Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs." "The practice whereof shall, I hope, secure me from many mischiefs."

2.

Cause of trouble or vexation; trouble. "The mischief was, these allies would never allow that the common enemy was subdued."

To be in mischief, to be doing harm or causing annoyance.

To make mischief, to do mischief, especially by exciting quarrels.

To play the mischief, to cause great harm; to throw into confusion. (Colloq.)

Synonyms: Damage; harm; hurt; injury; detriment; evil; ill. Mischief, Damage, Harm. Damage is an injury which diminishes the value of a thing; harm is an injury which causes trouble or inconvenience; mischief is an injury which disturbs the order and consistency of things. We often suffer damage or harm from accident, but mischief always springs from perversity or folly.

verb

Mischief v. t. To do harm to. (Obs.)

See images of 'Mischief'

Etymology of 'Mischief'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Mischief" Quotes from Famous Books

... his hands to bless the husband and wife, and then went slowly away, carrying with him the glass which had wrought such mischief. ...

— The Strand Magazine: Volume VII, Issue 37. January, 1894. - An Illustrated Monthly • Edited by George Newnes

... not believe that Diana was really bad; her lifelong training along set lines and practical seclusion from the everyday world were largely responsible for her evil impulses. Mischief is sure to crop up, in one form or another, among the idle and ambitionless. More daring wickedness is said to be accomplished by the wealthy and aimless creatures of our false society than by the poorer and uneducated classes, wherein criminals are supposed ...

— Aunt Jane's Nieces in Society • Edith Van Dyne

... thirteen years of age, and a girl who, when a baby, had looked so like a boy that her father had called her "Johnnie," a sobriquet which still clung to her. Close to the mother's side was a little embodiment of vitality, mischief, and frolic, in the form of a four-year-old boy, the dear torment ...

— Nature's Serial Story • E. P. Roe

... kept strictly in hand. In the event of any license, they're sure to find time to kick up trouble, and annoy their elders. Those, who know (how well they are supervised), will then say that children are always up to mischief. But those, who don't, will maintain that they take advantage of their wealthy position to despise people; to the detriment as well of their mistresses' reputation. How I regret that there's nothing that I can do with him. Time after time, have I had to send for his father; and he has been ...

— Hung Lou Meng, Book II • Cao Xueqin

... recognised as our old mate, the cause of our disaster. He had contrived to kick off his shoes, and was swimming towards the rock. Poor old man, he struggled hard for life. In a moment I forgot all the mischief he had caused, and considered how I might help to save him. Undoing my neck-handkerchief, I fastened it to another I had in my pocket, and secured the two to the sleeve of my jacket. I watched him anxiously as he drew near, crying ...

— Will Weatherhelm - The Yarn of an Old Sailor • W.H.G. Kingston

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