Meaning & Definition of word "Graft"

Graft

/ɡræft/

noun:

  • 1. A piece of living tissue transplanted surgically.
    • Example: The surgeon performed a successful graft to repair the damaged blood vessel.
  • 2. A technique of joining plants or plant parts together.
    • Example: He used a graft to combine a hardy rootstock with a delicate bloom.
  • 3. The act of obtaining money or advantage through unethical means; corruption.
    • Example: The politician was accused of engaging in graft to secure funding for his campaign.

verb:

  • 1. To transplant tissue surgically.
    • Example: The doctor decided to graft skin from the patient's thigh to cover the burn injury.
  • 2. To join (a plant) to another by means of grafting.
    • Example: He plans to graft several tree varietals to create a unique fruit tree.

Etymology

Middle English 'graff', from Old French 'grafe', from Latin 'graphium'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

graft and corruption:

The unethical or illegal acquisition of money.

graft surgery:

A surgical procedure involving the transplantation of tissue.

hard graft:

A lot of hard work or effort.

Related Words

transplant:

To move or transfer (something) to another place.

bribery:

The act of giving or receiving a bribe.

tissue:

An aggregate of cells in an organism.

Slang Meanings of graft

Meaning: Work or effort, often associated with manual labor.

Example Sentence: He's just been doing graft all day and is exhausted.

Meaning: Dishonest or illegal behavior for personal gain.

Example Sentence: That deal was pure graft; everyone knows it.