Graft
/ɡræft/
nounverbB2
Definition
As a verb, graft means to join a part of a plant or tissue to another so they grow together. As a noun, it can refer to the part that is joined or the act of doing this. In a different sense, graft means dishonest use of power or money, especially in politics or business.
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See It in Action
To join parts of plants or tissues so they grow together
- •The gardener grafted a rose branch onto the rootstock.
- •Doctors can graft skin to help heal wounds.
- •Fruit trees are often grafted to produce better fruit.
Dishonest use of power or money for personal gain
- •The politician was accused of graft during his time in office.
- •The company faced charges of graft and corruption.
- •Many people dislike graft because it is unfair and illegal.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "graft" like "join," but specifically joining living parts so they grow as one.
- ✓Picture a small branch being carefully attached to a tree to help it grow better or produce fruit.
- ✓It's like when someone works hard to add something useful, but sometimes it means taking money in a secret, unfair way.
- ✓Sounds like "craft" → imagine a skilled craftsperson carefully joining two things perfectly.
- ✓In stories, graft can be the secret trick gardeners use to make new fruits or the sneaky way a character takes money.
- ✓NOT like "cut" (removes), graft is about adding and joining.
- ✓NOT like "work" (general effort), graft can mean both honest hard work and dishonest gain.
- ✓NOT like "bribe" (giving money secretly), graft is more about taking money or advantage unfairly.
Try Other Words
- •Attach: to fasten or connect something physically (Use when talking about simple physical connection, not biological growth)
- •Transplant: to move something (like a plant or organ) from one place to another (Use when the focus is on moving, not joining)
- •Corruption: dishonest or illegal behavior by people in power (Use when meaning dishonest gain, especially in politics)
- •Bribery: giving money or gifts to get unfair advantage (Use when the focus is on giving, not taking money unfairly)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix, root word "graft")
- •Etymology: From Old English "graft" meaning a small branch or shoot of a tree
- •Historical development: Originally used for the branch or shoot used in planting; later extended to the act of joining plants and then to dishonest gain
- •Modern usage: Used in gardening and medicine for joining living parts; also used in politics/business for illegal money-taking
Reflect & Connect
•How can the idea of grafting plants help us understand teamwork or cooperation in people?
•Why do you think the same word is used for both a helpful plant process and dishonest behavior?
Fill in the blanks
1.The gardener grafted a small branch ___ the main tree to help it ___ better.
2.Skin grafting is used in medicine to ___ damaged areas and help them ___.
3.The politician was investigated because of suspected graft, meaning he took ___ in a ___ way.
4.Graft is different from bribery because graft is about ___ money or power, not ___ it.
5.When you graft a plant, the two parts must ___ together to grow as ___.
6.Honest graft means hard work and effort, but dishonest graft means ___ or corruption.
7.The success of fruit trees often depends on the quality of the ___ used in grafting.