Hypertext Webster Gateway: "graft"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Graft
the process of inoculating fruit-trees (Rom. 11:17-24). It is
peculiarly appropriate to olive-trees. The union thus of
branches to a stem is used to illustrate the union of true
believers to the true Church.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Graft \Graft\, n. [Prob. orig. so called because illegitimate or
improper profit was looked upon as a graft, or sort of
excrescence, on a legitimate business undertaking, in
distinction from its natural proper development.]
1. Acquisition of money, position, etc., by dishonest or
unjust means, as by actual theft or by taking advantage of
a public office or any position of trust or employment to
obtain fees, perquisites, profits on contracts,
legislation, pay for work not done or service not
performed, etc.; illegal or unfair practice for profit or
personal advantage; also, anything thus gained. [Colloq.]
2. A ``soft thing'' or ``easy thing;'' a ``snap.'' [Slang]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Graft \Graft\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Grafted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Grafting}.] [F. greffer. See {Graft}, n.]
1. 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. [Formerly written {graff}.]
2. (Surg.) To implant a portion of (living flesh or akin) in
a lesion so as to form an organic union.
3. To join (one thing) to another as if by grafting, so as to
bring about a close union.
And graft my love immortal on thy fame ! --Pope.
4. (Naut.) To cover, as a ring bolt, block strap, splicing,
etc., with a weaving of small cord or rope-yarns.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Graft \Graft\, v. i.
To insert scions from one tree, or kind of tree, etc., into
another; to practice grafting.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Graft \Graft\, n. [OE. graff, F. greffe, originally the same
word as OF. grafe pencil, L. graphium, Gr. ?, ?, fr. ? to
write; prob. akin to E. carve. So named from the resemblance
of a scion or shoot to a pointed pencil. Cf. {Graphic},
{Grammar.}]
(a) 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.
(b) A branch or portion of a tree growing from such a shoot.
(c) (Surg.) A portion of living tissue used in the operation
of autoplasty.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
graft
n 1: (surgery) tissue or organ transplanted from a donor to a
recipient; in some cases the patient can be both donor
and recipient [syn: {transplant}]
2: the practice of offering something (usually money) in order
to gain an illicit advantage [syn: {bribery}]
3: the act of grafting something onto something else [syn: {grafting}]
v 1: cause to grow together parts from different plants; "graft
the cherry tree branch onto the plum tree" [syn: {engraft},
{ingraft}]
2: in surgery [syn: {transplant}]
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