GRAFT (a modified

See also:

• FORM (Lat. forma)

form of the earlier "

See also:

• GRAIL (formerly KAREL)
• GRAIL, THE HOLY

grail," through the

See also:

• FRENCH
• FRENCH, DANIEL CHESTER (1850– )
• FRENCH, NICHOLAS (1604-1678)

French from the

See also:

• LATE

Late

See also:

• LAT

Lat. graphium, a stylus or

See also:

• PENCIL (Lat. penicillus, brush, literally little tail)

pencil)  , a small branch, shoot or " scion," transferred from one plant or tree to another, the " stock," and inserted in it so that the two unite (see HORTICULTURE) . The name was adopted from the resemblance in shape of the " graft " to a pencil . The transfer of living tissue from one portion of an organism to another part of the same or different organism where it adheres and grows is also known as " grafting," and is frequently practised in modern surgery . The word is applied, in carpentry, to an attachment of the ends of timbers, and, as a nautical term, to the " whipping " or " pointing " of a rope's end with fine twine to prevent unravelling . " Graft " is used as a slang term, in England, for a " piece of hard work." In American usage Webster's Dictionary (ed . 1904) defines the word as " the act of any one, especially an official or public employe, by which he procures money surreptitiously by virtue of his office or position; also the surreptitious gain thus procured." It is thus a word embracing blackmail and illicit commission .