n. [ OE. graff, F. greffe, originally the same word as OF. grafe pencil, L. graphium, Gr. &unr_;, &unr_;, fr. &unr_; 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. A “soft thing” or “easy thing;” a “snap.” [ Slang ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Surg.) To implant a portion of (living flesh or akin) in a lesion so as to form an organic union. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To join (one thing) to another as if by grafting, so as to bring about a close union. [ 1913 Webster ]

And graft my love immortal on thy fame ! Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Naut.) To cover, as a ring bolt, block strap, splicing, etc., with a weaving of small cord or rope-yarns. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To insert scions from one tree, or kind of tree, etc., into another; to practice grafting. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Hort.) The science of grafting, including the various methods of practice and details of operation. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. 1. One who inserts scions on other stocks, or propagates fruit by ingrafting. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An instrument by which grafting is facilitated. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The original tree from which a scion has been taken for grafting upon another tree. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. (Hort.) The act, art, or process of inserting grafts. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) The act or method of weaving a cover for a ring, rope end, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Surg.) The transplanting of a portion of flesh or skin to a denuded surface; autoplasty. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Carp.) A scarfing or endwise attachment of one timber to another. [ 1913 Webster ]

Cleft grafting (Hort.) a method of grafting in which the scion is placed in a cleft or slit in the stock or stump made by sawing off a branch, usually in such a manaer that its bark evenly joins that of the stock. --
Crown grafting or
Rind grafting, (Hort.) a method of grafting which the alburnum and inner bark are separated, and between them is inserted the lower end of the scion cut slantwise. --
Saddle grafting, a mode of grafting in which a deep cleft is made in the end of the scion by two sloping cuts, and the end of the stock is made wedge-shaped to fit the cleft in the scion, which is placed upon it saddlewise. --
Side grafting, a mode of grafting in which the scion, cut quite across very obliquely, so as to give it the form of a slender wedge, is thrust down inside of the bark of the stock or stem into which it is inserted, the cut side of the scion being next the wood of the stock. --
Skin grafting. (Surg.) See Autoplasty. --
Splice grafting (Hort.), a method of grafting by cutting the ends of the scion and stock completely across and obliquely, in such a manner that the sections are of the same shape, then lapping the ends so that the one cut surface exactly fits the other, and securing them by tying or otherwise. --
Whip grafting, tongue grafting, the same as splice grafting, except that a cleft or slit is made in the end of both scion and stock, in the direction of the grain and in the middle of the sloping surface, forming a kind of tongue, so that when put together, the tongue of each is inserted in the slit of the other. --
Grafting scissors, a surgeon's scissors, used in rhinoplastic operations, etc. --
Grafting tool. (a) Any tool used in grafting. (b) A very strong curved spade used in digging canals. --
Grafting wax, a composition of rosin, beeswax tallow, etc., used in binding up the wounds of newly grafted trees. [ 1913 Webster ]