graft
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Alternative forms [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Middle English graffe, from Old French greffe (“stylus”), from Latin graphium (“stylus”), from Ancient Greek γραφείον, from γράφειν (“to write”); probably akin to English carve. So named from the resemblance of a scion or shoot to a pointed pencil. Compare graphic, grammar.
Pronunciation [edit]
Noun [edit]
graft (countable and uncountable; plural grafts)
- (countable) A small shoot or scion of a tree inserted in another tree, the stock of which is to support and nourish it. The two unite and become one tree, but the graft determines the kind of fruit.
- (countable) A branch or portion of a tree growing from such a shoot.
- (surgery, countable) A portion of living tissue used in the operation of autoplasty.
- (uncountable, colloquial) Effort needed for doing hard work.
- (uncountable, slang) A criminal's special branch of practice
- (uncountable) Illicit profit by corrupt means, especially in public life.
- (uncountable) Corruption in official life.
- (countable) A con job.
- (countable, slang) A cut of the take (money).
- (uncountable, US, politics) A bribe, especially on an ongoing basis.
Translations [edit]
small shoot or scion
branch or portion of a tree growing from such a shoot
portion of living tissue used in the operation of autoplasty
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hard work
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criminal's special branch of practice
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illicit profit by corrupt means, especially in public life
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corruption in official life
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slang: cut of the take
bribe
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
Translations to be checked
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Verb [edit]
graft (third-person singular simple present grafts, present participle grafting, simple past and past participle grafted)
- (transitive) To insert (a graft) in a branch or stem of another tree; to propagate by insertion in another stock; also, to insert a graft upon.
- (transitive, surgery) To implant a portion of (living flesh or akin) in a lesion so as to form an organic union.
- (transitive) To join (one thing) to another as if by grafting, so as to bring about a close union.
- 1717 Eloisa to Abelard. And graft my love immortal on thy fame! — Alexander Pope
- (transitive, nautical) To cover, as a ring bolt, block strap, splicing, etc., with a weaving of small cord or rope-yarns.
- (intransitive) To insert scions (grafts) from one tree, or kind of tree, etc., into another; to practice grafting.
Translations [edit]
insert (a graft) in a branch or stem of another tree
implant a portion of (living flesh or akin) in a lesion so as to form an organic union
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join (one thing) to another as if by grafting
cover, as a ring bolt, block strap, splicing, etc.
Categories:
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms derived from Old French
- English terms derived from Latin
- English terms derived from Ancient Greek
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- en:Surgery
- English uncountable nouns
- English colloquialisms
- English slang
- American English
- en:Politics
- English verbs
- en:Nautical
