graft

I. noun Etymology: Middle English graffe, grafte, from Anglo-French greffe, graife stylus, graph, from Medieval Latin graphium, from Latin, stylus, from Greek grapheion, from graphein to write — more at carve Date: 14th century 1. a. a grafted plant b. scion 1 c. the point of insertion of a scion upon a stock 2. a. the act of grafting b. something grafted; specifically living tissue used in grafting II. verb Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. to cause (a scion) to unite with a stock; also to unite (plants or scion and stock) to form a graft b. to propagate (a plant) by grafting 2. a. to join or unite as if by grafting b. to attach (a chemical unit) to a main molecular chain 3. to implant (living tissue) surgically intransitive verb 1. to become grafted 2. to perform grafting • grafter noun III. noun Etymology: English dialect graft, verb, to work Date: 1853 chiefly British work, labor IV. Etymology: origin unknown Date: 1859 transitive verb to get (illicit gain) by graft intransitive verb to practice graft V. noun Date: 1865 the acquisition of gain (as money) in dishonest or questionable ways; also illegal or unfair gain