Graft
/ɡræft/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo join (plant parts) so as to unite and grow; to transplant (living tissue)
/ɡræft/
To insert a part of a plant or living tissue into another plant or body to unite and grow.
The farmer grafted a branch from a superior apple tree onto a more robust rootstock.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're a plant doctor and want to make a cool new flower. You can cut a piece of one plant and attach it to another so they grow together. It's like a plant hug!
👶 For kids: To join parts of a plant or body together so they can grow together.
More Examples
Doctors often graft skin onto burn victims to help them heal.
The surgeon successfully grafted a new heart onto the patient.
How It's Used
"The gardener will graft the new variety onto the existing tree."
"Surgeons often graft skin onto burn victims to aid healing."
A piece of tissue or a plant part that has been grafted.
/ɡræft/
A piece of living tissue or a plant part that is grafted.
The surgeon prepared the skin graft for the burn victim.
💡 Simply: Imagine a piece of skin or part of a plant that's been carefully moved and attached to another plant or body so they can grow together. It's like a transplant!
👶 For kids: A part of a plant or body that is put onto another to grow together.
More Examples
The gardener carefully protected the young graft from the harsh weather.
The successful graft was a testament to the skill of the surgeon.
How It's Used
"The skin graft provided a protective layer for the wound."
"The graft of the new apple variety thrived on the old tree's rootstock."
Acquisition of money or power by unfair or dishonest means.
/ɡræft/
The acquisition of money, power, or other benefits by dishonest or unfair means, especially through bribery or corruption.
The exposé detailed widespread graft among city officials.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone being dishonest to get money or power. It’s like getting something you don't deserve by using tricks, like bribing someone.
👶 For kids: Getting something like money or power by being dishonest or unfair.
More Examples
The journalist was investigating a case of political graft.
Corruption and graft are serious problems in many countries.
How It's Used
"The politician was accused of accepting bribes and engaging in graft."
"The investigation uncovered a network of graft within the company."
Synonyms
Fuse
Bud
Bribery
Corruption
Dishonesty
Extortion
Fraud
Idioms & expressions
graft onto
To add or attach something (often abstract) to something else.
"The company is trying to graft new technologies onto its existing infrastructure."
From Middle English grafte, from Old French grefter ('to graft, engraft'), from Latin graphium ('stylus') ultimately from Greek graphein ('to write'). The sense of dishonest gain emerged in the 20th century, likely from the surgical sense of joining or inserting a part.
The term 'graft' has been used in the sense of corruption since the late 19th century in the US, particularly in political contexts.
Memory tip
Imagine a surgeon's careful hand, joining skin, just like a gardener joining branches.