Graft
/ɡræft/noun
A piece of living tissue that is transplanted surgically.
Did you know?The term 'graft' originally referred to the act of joining plants, but its meaning evolved to encompass dishonest practices in politics and business, revealing a shadowy side of human nature.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*grafta
“a branch or shoot from a plant, especially for planting.”
Old English
OE
greaft
“a shoot or twig used for propagation.”
Middle English
ME
graft
“the act of inserting a shoot into a plant.”
15th Century
Late ME
graft
“to join plants together to grow as one; also, to gain by dishonest means.”
Modern English
Eng
graft
“the surgical transplantation of tissue; metaphorically, to exploit or engage in corruption.”