(graft, gräft) noun
1. Bot. a A shoot inserted into a tree or plant, so as to become a living part of it. b The place where the cion is inserted in a stock.
2. Something amalgamated with a foreign stock: The family was a Spanish graft upon an American tree.
3. Surg. a A juncture between a piece of animal tissue cut from a living person or animal and the tissue of another subject, b The piece so implanted.
—v.t.
1. Bot. a To insert (a cion or bud) into a tree or plant. b To insert a shoot or shoots upon: to graft a tree with a new variety. c To obtain by such process.
2. Surg. To transplant tissue removed from one part, or from one animal, to another.
—v.i.
3. To insert grafts.
4. To be or become grafted. [Earlier graff <OF grafe <LL graphium stylus <Gk. grapheion <graphein write]
—graft′age (-ij) noun
—graft′er noun
GRAFTING
a. Method of cutting for ligule–grafting, showing shape of ligule.
b. Graft and stock bound together.
c. Protection of the union by a ball of clay.

(graft, gräft) U.S. noun
1. The attainment of personal advantage or profit by dishonest or unfair means, especially through one's political or official connections.
2. Anything thus gained.
3. Austral. Slang Work.
—v.t.
1. To obtain by graft.
—v.i.
2. To practice graft.
3. Austral. Slang To work. [Cf. dial. E graft work, livelihood]
—graft′er noun