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.
A branch or portion of a tree growing from such a shoot.
To obtain illegal gain from bribery or similar corrupt practices.
Origin
From Middle English graffe, from Old French greffe ("stylus"), from Latin graphium ("stylus"), from Ancient Greek γραφείον, from γράφειν; probably akin to English carve. So named from the resemblance of a scion or shoot to a pointed pencil. Compare graphic, grammar.
From Middle Dutch graft, from graven. The contemporary senses “depth of digging blade” and “narrow spade” may have a separate history, but this is uncertain. Compare Old Norse grǫft. Attested from the 17th century.
Uncertain. Some lexicographers suggest an extended use of Etymology 2, above, expanding from “digging” to work more generally, and from there to dishonest work. Others, however, suggest an extension from Etymology 1, shifting from “a shoot or scion” to the notion of corruption through the idea of excrescence.
Modern English dictionary
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