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graft1

Pronunciation: /grɑːft/

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Definition of graft

noun

1a shoot or twig inserted into a slit on the trunk or stem of a living plant, from which it receives sap.
an instance of grafting a shoot or twig on to a living plant.

2 Medicine a piece of living tissue that is transplanted surgically.
a surgical operation in which tissue is transplanted.

verb

[with object and adverbial]

1insert (a shoot or twig) as a graft:it was common to graft different varieties on to a single tree trunk
insert a graft on (a trunk or stem).

2 Medicine transplant (living tissue) as a graft:they can graft a new hand on to the nerve ends

3combine or integrate (an idea, system, etc.) with another, typically in a way considered inappropriate:old values have been grafted on to a new economic class

Origin:

late Middle English graff, from Old French grafe, via Latin from Greek graphion 'stylus, writing implement' (with reference to the tapered tip of the scion), from graphein 'write'. The final -t is typical of phonetic confusion between -f and -ft at the end of words; compare with tuft

graft in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of graft in the US English dictionary

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