graftn.1
/ɡrɑːft/, /ɡraft/, U.S. /ɡræft/ 1. A shoot or scion inserted in a groove or slit made in another stock, so as to allow the sap of the latter to circulate through the former.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > insertion or putting in > [noun] > so as to unite > that which is
graft1483
the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > propagation of plants > [noun] > by cuttings > cutting or slip
planteOE
plantingeOE
quickwoodc1383
graffa1393
sarmenta1398
slivingc1400
springc1400
clavec1420
sleavingc1440
talionc1440
quick1456
quicking1469
graft1483
quickset1484
slip1495
setlingc1503
set1513
pitchset1519
slaving?1523
truncheon1572
stallon1587
crosset1600
marquot1600
sliver1604
secta1616
offset1629
slipping1638
side-slip1651
slift1657
cutting1691
pitcher1707
mallet-shoot1745
root cutting1784
stowing1788
stool1789
pitch1808
heel1822
cutling1834
piping1851
cutback1897
stump plant1953
the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > propagation of plants > [noun] > by cuttings > cutting or slip > for grafting
imp1377
graffa1398
talionc1440
graft1483
slip1495
set1513
wedge?1523
scutcheon1572
shield1572
truncheon1572
breeder1601
scion1612
escutcheon1658
slit-graft1706
graffshoot1860
shield-bud1891
1483 Cath. Angl. 162/1 A Grafte, surculus.
1554 Acc. Edw. VI in Trevelyan Papers (Camden) II. 15 Sir John Wulfe..maker and deviser of the Kinges herbors and plantes of grafts.
1564 T. Becon New Catech. in Wks. 435 b Is there any man..will cal a young gryft of the first yeres gryfting fruteles and barren.
1649 J. Ellistone tr. J. Böhme Epist. v. xlix. 76 A plant, or grift that is set, doth worke so long till it putteth forth its branches.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth III. 96 This tumour every day buds forward from the point like the graft of a tree.
1813 H. Davy Elements Agric. Chem. v. 220 The graft is only nourished by the sap of the tree to which it is transferred.
1878 J. Buller Forty Years N.Z. I. viii. 63 Fruitful orchards are the outcome of grafts I introduced.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > part of tree or woody plant > [noun] > bough or branch > young branch, twig, or shoot
sprittle?c1225
leader1572
arrow1574
graft1576
thief1669
leading shoot1712
coppice shoot1851
Lammas shoot1929
1587 D. Fenner Song of Songs iv. 13 Thy gryfts they are, as of A pomgranat orchard.
1606 L. Bryskett Disc. Ciuill Life 2 To transport from..forraine countries..strange grafts, plants and flowers.
1624 F. Quarles Sions Sonets xii. 13 My love is like a Paradise, beset With rarest grifts, whose fruits..The world nere tasted.
3. Surgery. ‘A portion of living tissue transplanted from one place to another on the same or another organism, with a view to its adhesion and growth’ (Billings Med. Dict. 1890); also, the operation or its result, the adhesion and growth of such new tissue.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > surgery > transplanting and grafting operations > [noun] > a transplant or graft
graft1871
transplant1913
spare part1944
1871 J. Woodman Notes Transpl. or Engraft. Skin 19 I took three small pieces of skin from her own arm and engrafted them... On the fourth day I removed the plaster, and with it one of the grafts.
1886 C. Heath Dict. Pract. Surg. I. 616 These grafts may be placed at any part of a healing granulation-surface, and may grow there, forming islets of skin.
1886 C. Heath Dict. Pract. Surg. I. 618 The preservation of the periosteum is not essential to the success of the graft..When an osseous graft is about to be effected, the part into which the graft is to be placed ought to be first prepared.
1913 Interstate Med. Jrnl. 20 573 Only the peripheral part of thyroid grafts persisted, the central part becoming necrotic... Regeneration was complete at the end of three months, and the graft differed from a normal gland by an infiltration of connective tissue.
1970 Oxf. Times 16 Jan. 1/1 This is the first transplant operation to be carried out at the hospital. The other kidney graft in Oxford was at the Radcliffe Infirmary two years ago.
1970 Nature 28 Feb. 851 Liver grafts may be less exacting in their genetical requirements than those of kidney.
4. [ < graft v.1]
a. The process or product of grafting (see combinations in sense Compounds); also, a variety produced by grafting, a kind (of fruit).
Π
a1845 R. H. Barham Jerry Jarvis's Wig in Ingoldsby Legends (1847) 3rd Ser. 313 On the precise graft of the espalier of Eden, ‘Sanchoniathon, Manetho, and Berosus’ are undecided.
b. The place where the scion is inserted in the stock.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > propagation of plants > [noun] > grafting > place where graft inserted
clefta1398
stockc1400
grafting1601
seed stock1702
crown graft1706
graft1802
root graft1824
saddle graft1830
rind-graft1907
1802 W. Forsyth Treat. Fruit-trees i. 8 Taking off the worst branches first,..always cutting as near to the graft as possible.
1898 L. H. Bailey Pruning-bk. 263 The grafting of the main trunk has some disadvantages, because a bad fork is apt to occur at the graft.
Compounds
attributive and in other combinations (in sense 3), as graft-growth, graft surface, graft theory; graft-hybrid n. (see quot.). graft-hybridism n., graft-hybridization the process of hybridizing by means of a graft.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > variety or species > [noun] > cross or hybrid
mule1728
bigener1817
graft-hybrid1868
nothomorph1939
polycross1946
metis1974
the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > propagation of plants > [noun] > grafting > hybridization by grafting
graft-hybridism1868
graft-hybridization1868
the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > propagation of plants > [noun] > grafting > plant produced by grafting
free stock1658
graft-hybrid1868
bud-graft1930
1868 C. Darwin Variation Animals & Plants I. xi. 390 If..we must admit the extraordinary fact that two distinct species can unite by their cellular tissue, and subsequently produce a plant bearing leaves and sterile flowers intermediate in character between the scion and stock..Such plants, if really thus formed, might be called graft-hybrids.
1868 C. Darwin Variation Animals & Plants II. xxvii. 365 The case would become one of graft-hybridism.
1875 C. Darwin Variations Animals & Plants (ed. 2) I. xi. 423 The number of new forms produced by graft-hybridisation.
1886 New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon Graft theory, a theory which attributes the causation of disease to organic particles detached from the body of a diseased person, which becoming engrafted into a healthy person set up a diseased process in his body similar to that which existed in the body of the person from which they were detached.
1897 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. III. 726 The interesting process of implantation or graft growths from a growth in one part of the intestines to another has been already referred to.
1897 W. Anderson On Surg. Treatm. Lupus 14 The graft surface has a better appearance than that of an ordinary cicatrix.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† graftn.2
Obsolete.
A ditch; a moat; Also (in Holland) a street on either side of a canal.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > preparation of land or soil > ditching or drainage > [noun] > ditch
dikec893
gripa1000
ditch1045
fosselOE
water-furrowlOE
sow1316
furrowc1330
rick1332
sewer1402
gripplec1440
soughc1440
grindle1463
sheugh1513
syre1513
rain?1523
trench1523
slough1532
drain1552
fowsie?1553
thorougha1555
rean1591
potting1592
trink1592
syver1606
graft1644
work1649
by-ditch1650
water fence1651
master drain1652
rode1662
pudge1671
gripe1673
sulcus1676
rhine1698
rilling1725
mine1743
foot trench1765
through1777
trench drain1779
trenchlet1782
sunk fence1786
float1790
foot drain1795
tail-drain1805
flow-dike1812
groopa1825
holla1825
thorough drain1824
yawner1832
acequia madre1835
drove1844
leader1844
furrow-drain1858
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > street > [noun] > beside a river or canal
graft1644
quai1826
1644 W. Prynne & C. Walker True Relation Prosecution N. Fiennes App. 11 The Castle was a very large stong Hold, fortified with a very broad deepe ditch, or graft.
1653–4 B. Whitelocke Jrnl. Swedish Ambassy (1772) II. 292 The grafts of the workes are large and deep, full of water on all sides.
c1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1641 (1955) II. 47 The Keisers-Graft, or Emperors Streete,..that goodly Aquæ-duct, or river, so curiously wharfed with Clincar'd,..of which material the spacious streetes on either side are paved.
1683 Apol. Protestants France iv. 46 They caught a Soldier measuring the Graft and the Wall in order to scale the place.
1737 G. Smith Curious Relations I. iii. 387 All the rest which the Canals, Grafts, and Rivers are fill'd with, being salt, or at least brackish.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
graftn.3
/ɡrɑːft/, /ɡraft/, U.S. /ɡræft/ 1. The depth of earth that may be thrown up at once with a spade; a ‘spit’. Often spade('s) graft.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > [noun] > digging > digging to spade depth > spade's depth
spade-graft1252
spit1507
graff?1523
graft1620
spade1674
spit1677
spade-bit1790
1620 G. Markham Farewell to Husb. (1625) 41 Within a spades graft of the vpper swarth of the earth.
1681 J. Chetham Angler's Vade Mecum iv. 32 You your self may dig one spade graft deep for them in sandy, heathy ground.
1792 Trans. Soc. Arts 10 139 We dug..one spade's graft (about nine inches deep, and seven inches wide) into the quick sand.
1802 Trans. Soc. Arts 20 191 The drains were generally made two grafts deep.
1848 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 9 i. 55 I then dug a trench..throwing the first graft of good soil on one side.
2. A kind of spade, used in digging drains.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > [noun] > spade > other spades
sap1566
didle1580
wasp-spade1623
trenching gouge1653
loy1763
hodding-spadea1825
graff1875
graft1893
1893 J. Salisbury Gloss. Words S.E. Worcs. Graft or Grafting-tool, a narrow crescent-shaped spade used by drainers.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
graftn.4
/ɡrɑːft/, /ɡraft/, U.S. /ɡræft/ slang.
a. Work, esp. hard work.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [noun] > labour or toil
workeOE
i-swincheOE
swenchOE
swote971
swingc1000
swinkOE
swinkinga1225
travailc1275
cark1330
sweatc1380
the sweat of (one's) brow (brows), facec1380
laboura1382
swengc1400
labouragec1470
toil1495
laborationa1500
tug1504
urea1510
carp1548
turmoil1569
moil1612
praelabour1663
fatigue1669
insudation1669
till?a1800
Kaffir work1848
graft1853
workfulness1854
collar-work1871
yakka1888
swot1899
heavy lifting1934
1853 J. Rochfort Adventures Surveyor v. 47 I could make more money by ‘hard graft’, as they call labour in the colonies.
1890 J. D. Robertson Gloss. Words County of Gloucester Graft, work.
1890 Argus (Melbourne) 16 Aug. 13/1 It is when hard graft has to be done..that they're troubled a bit.
1891 S. O. Addy Suppl. Gloss. Words Sheffield Graft, work. ‘Well, I've got some graft to do now’.
1933 Bulletin (Sydney) 15 Nov. 20/3 Another three miles' tramping, and four hours' hard graft.
1968 Times 27 June 25/1 This view is that salvation..is to be won by long, hard graft by industrial management.
1971 Observer 14 Mar. 7/7 They're too busy turning down 14 per cent pay offers to fuss about the three-quarters of a million out of graft.
b. A trade, craft.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession > trade or industry
merchandrisec1480
industrya1500
trade1525
occupation?1529
graft1896
1896 Pop. Sci. Jrnl. 4 255 The roadster proper is distinguished from the tramp by having a ‘graft’ or in other terms a visible means of support.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
graftn.5
/ɡrɑːft/, /ɡraft/, U.S. /ɡræft/ colloquial (originally U.S.).
The obtaining of profit or advantage by dishonest or shady means; the means by which such gains are made, esp. bribery, blackmail, or the abuse of a position of power or influence; the profits so obtained.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > lack of principle or integrity > [noun] > dishonesty > action
brokery1602
trinketing1646
adultery1753
traffickery1838
hanky-panky1841
grafting1859
shystering1860
graft1865
skulduggery1867
sharp practice1869
in and out work1888
by-practice1913
grift1914
dirty pool1973
1865 National Police Gaz. (U.S.) 8 July 1/3 'Twas handy that we were so related, as, when about a ‘graft’, or ‘doing stur’, both sisters could keep each other company.
1886 W. Newton Secrets Tramp Life Revealed 14 This ‘Guide’ cannot work this ‘graft’ alone, for he has to have a good supply for stock, a bag of ‘snide’ or base coins.
1889 in J. B. Thoburn Hist. Oklahoma (1916) I. xxix. 407 The enterprising individual sold water at so much a drink until he was ousted from his profitable graft.
1896 G. Ade Artie i. 3 To the church show—the charity graft.
1901 ‘J. Flynt’ World of Graft ii. 12 Chi ain't no free soup kitchen. The City Hall people want their graft just as much as I [sc. a criminal] do.
1903 H. Hapgood Autobiogr. Thief (1904) ii. 34 In those days..Moll-buzzing, as well as picking pockets in general, was an easy and lucrative graft.
1903 H. Hapgood Autobiogr. Thief (1904) x. 205 The boy had a much better chance to learn the graft than I had when a kid, for my father was an honest man.
1903 H. Hapgood Autobiogr. Thief (1904) x. 222 I was too sleepy those days to go out of town much on the graft.
1903 Daily Chron. 21 Oct. A Chicago paper has the headline, ‘Labour revolts at paying graft’.
1903 Daily Chron. 3 Nov. 5/3 Are you ready to support a government of law against a government of ‘graft’, an administration of the city's resources in the interest of the public and of the public treasury, against their dissipation for the benefit of a favoured few?
1904 Daily Chron. 17 Feb. 3/5 Glimpses are also given of the shady side of American politics, where ‘graft’ is only another word for plunder.
1904 Athenæum 30 Apr. 560 In New York ‘graft’ is thieves' patter for stealing.
1905 Daily Chron. 13 Sept. 5/2 It is now the turn of the War Department to start a campaign against ‘graft’ among the officials of the army.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 13 Oct. 5/4 Showing how Tammany robs the city, bribes the judges, protects criminals, and generally carries on the game of graft, an Americanism for bribery, corruption, and illicit commission.
1915 Literary Digest 21 Aug. 340/1 There is no evidence that Minister Sullivan received any money or participated in any way in what has come to be known as ‘graft’.
1928 Sat. Evening Post (Philadelphia) 4 Feb. 35/1 ‘We had a slick graft’ he told me, ‘We was taking about two hundred smackers a week.’
1945 C. S. Lewis That Hideous Strength xi. 301 Here was a world of plot within plot, crossing and double crossing, of lies and graft and stabbing in the back.
1970 Daily Tel. 13 Jan. 2/4 Victims in a wave of graft, corruption and fear were making regular payments for protection.
Compounds
General attributive.
ΚΠ
1905 Daily Chron. 26 May 5/2 He..says he is tired of ‘graft’ politics and the sale of city franchises to monopolies [in Philadelphia].
1908 Daily Chron. 24 Dec. 1/6 During the hearing of the latest ‘graft’ scandal here [i.e. in Pittsburgh] evidence was given that sixty members of the City Council received 45,000 dollars as bribe money.
1908 ‘O. Henry’ Gentle Grafter 48 I'd like, myself, to hedge a bet or two in the graft game.
1910 Westm. Gaz. 4 Apr. 7/2 He expressed himself as overwhelmed with..shame at the stain which had been revealed by the graft exposures upon the fame of the city [sc. Pittsburgh].
1955 D. W. Maurer in Publ. Amer. Dial. Soc. No. 24. 150 Is there already a well-established, well-oiled graft-machine set up to process all fixed cases?
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
graftv.1
/ɡrɑːft/, /ɡraft/, U.S. /ɡræft/ 1.
a. transitive. To insert (a shoot from one tree) as a graft (see graft n.1) into another tree. Const. in, into, on, upon. Also with adverbs in, together.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > propagation of plants > propagate [verb (transitive)] > a cutting: graft
impc1000
graff1377
engraffc1420
seta1425
graft1483
engrafta1677
1483 Cath. Angl. 162/1 To Grafte, inserere, surculare.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. xvii. C Thou hast also set a fayre plante, & grafted a straunge braunch.
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. x. 49 He shall get griftes to graft.
1736 Compl. Family-piece ii. iii. 287 Upon the white English sort of Jessamine now graft the Spanish.
1859 C. Darwin Origin of Species viii. 261 No one has been able to graft trees together belonging to quite distinct families.
b. transferred and figurative. To insert or fix in or upon something, with the result of producing a vital or indissoluble union. (Cf. sense 6.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > condition of being fast bound or firmly fixed > make fast [verb (transitive)] > fasten or fix
steek?c1335
stick1372
ficchec1374
plant1381
inficche1382
fix14..
graft1531
graff1536
stick1586
rivet1600
stay1627
rig1835
splice1847
fixate1885
1531 W. Tyndale Expos. 1 John (1538) ii. 23 All they that are grafted into Christe to followe hys doctrine.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Svpper of the Lorde f. cxxxii Graunt..that the wordes..may throughe thy grace, bee so grafted inwardly in our heartes.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Fff1 God..doth grifte his Reuelations & holie doctrine vpon the Notions of our reason. View more context for this quotation
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iii. 389 Each of them [sc. pillars] having half a Cubit of their shaft lost in their height, as running in, and hid in his Chapiter grafted upon it.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth III. 99 The horns may in every respect, be resembled to a vegetable substance, grafted upon the head of an animal.
1786 J. Reynolds Disc. Royal Acad. (1876) xiii. 73 No Art can be grafted with success on another art.
1822 J. M. Good Study Med. I. 165 I have observed that dyspepsy is often grafted upon an hysterical or hypochondriacal diathesis.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. i. 2 The Northern nations grafted the religion and the laws of the Western empire on their own hardy natures.
1876 E. Mellor Priesthood 208 The Lord's Supper, while a new institution, was in its forms grafted upon the Paschal meal.
c. intransitive for reflexive. rare (? U.S.).
ΚΠ
1884 S. Horner & J. Horner Walks in Florence I. i. 24 The Florentine artist..only adopted those principles which grafted most readily on his preconceived ideas.
1894 Forum (U.S.) July 564 If possible, the theme should graft on to a vigorous and well grown stock of native interest.
2. absol. and intransitive. To insert a graft or grafts. Const. as in sense 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > propagation of plants > [verb (intransitive)] > graft
graff1483
imbranch1577
inoculate1601
graft1626
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §415 If you graft vpon the Bough of a Tree, and cut off some of the old Boughs, the new Cions will perish.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 640 The method of propagating the cider-fruit trees in Herefordshire, is by grafting.
1860 R. W. Emerson Power in Conduct of Life (London ed.) 53 Here is question, every spring, whether to graft with wax, or whether with clay.
3. transitive. To fix a graft or grafts upon (a stock). Also vaguely, to perform the operation of grafting on (a tree), to produce (fruits) by grafting.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > propagation of plants > propagate [verb (transitive)] > a cutting: graft > a stock: graft upon
stock1528
graff1564
work1606
graft1624
engrafta1677
1624 F. Quarles Sions Sonets xx. 8 To see my Stockes, so latelie grifted, sprout.
1707 tr. P. Le Lorrain de Vallemont Curiosities in Husbandry & Gardening 256 You graft it with Grafts of an Apple-tree.
1795 Knight in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 85 292 I have since grafted some very old trees with cuttings from seedling apple-trees of five years old.
1823 Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. 12 July 98 Stocks have..been grafted with English cuttings.
1845 Florist's Jrnl. 6 77 On grafting the Chinese Azalea.
1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Eclogues ix, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 62 Graft thy pears, O Daphnis, the fruit thy sons shall enjoy.
4. In loose or transferred uses: To plant, implant.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > insertion or putting in > insert or put in [verb (transitive)] > so as to unite
imp1340
graff1377
engraffa1400
graft1562
complant1582
inoculate1615
engraft1793
1562 W. Turner Bk. Natures Bathes Eng. Pref., in 2nd Pt. Herball Their nature whiche Almighty God grafted in them [the birds].
1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 130 They that feare their Vines will make to sharp wine, must..graft next to them Mandrage.
1771 ‘The Trifler’ Muse in Miniature 110 From page to page thro' Nature's folio flies, Where hoary wisdom grafts her aching eyes.
5. Nautical. To cover (a ring-bolt, block-strop, etc.) with a weaving of small cord or rope-yarns.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > other nautical operations > [verb (transitive)] > wrap (to prevent chafing)
keckle1627
worm1706
pudding1711
graftc1860
c1860 H. Stuart Novices or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 31 How do you point and graft a rope?
c1860 H. Stuart Novices or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 81 Two hammock lashings..pointed and grafted at the ends.
6. Surgery. To transplant (a piece of skin, tissue, etc.) into a different part of the body, or from one animal to another.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > surgery > transplanting and grafting operations > transplant or graft [verb (transitive)]
graft1868
transplant1906
1868 C. Darwin Variation Animals & Plants II. xxvii. 369 The tail of a pig has been grafted into the middle of its back.
1897 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. III. 203 The experiment of grafting a portion of the extirpated pancreas outside the abdominal cavity in the muscles of the external walls.
7. U.S. To repair (boots) by adding new soles and ‘foxing’ the uppers.
ΚΠ
1859 in J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (ed. 2)
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
graftv.2
dialect.
intransitive. To dig.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > break up land [verb (intransitive)] > dig
delvec1000
digc1320
spit1393
fork1647
yelve1817
graft1823
spade1869
spud1889
1823 [see grafting-tool n. at Derivatives].
Derivatives
Categories »
ˈgrafting n.
grafting-spade n.
ΚΠ
1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining Grafting spade, a long narrow-plated spade for digging clay.
grafting-tool n. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1823 G. Crabb Universal Technol. Dict. Grafting Tool, a kind of curved spade made very strong for the purpose of digging canals.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online September 2018).
graftv.3
slang.
intransitive. To work.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > working > [verb (intransitive)]
workOE
occupy1417
practise?1435
exercise1511
lie1546
artize1598
graft1859
1859 J. C. Hotten Dict. Slang 47 Graft, to go to work.
1890 Argus (Melbourne) 9 Aug. 4/2 ‘You graftin' with him?’ ‘No, I'm with Johnson’.
1936 ‘J. Curtis’ Gilt Kid ii. 19 ‘Where did you graft in Wandsworth?’ ‘Cleaner.’
1958 Times 18 Oct. 3/3 But his 90 minutes in the middle were worth many nets, and he was quite imperturbable in the way he grafted along [at cricket].
Derivatives
ˈgrafting n.
ΚΠ
1878 Graphic 6 July 2/2 Perhaps in a generation or two Paddy will fail us. He will have become too refined for hard ‘grafting’.
1966 A. Prior Operators xvi. 246 The great mass of mugs were law-abiding..doing as they were told, working, grafting.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
graftv.4
/ɡrɑːft/, /ɡraft/, U.S. /ɡræft/ colloquial (originally U.S.).
1. intransitive. To practise ‘graft’; to make money by shady or dishonest means.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > lack of principle or integrity > be unprincipled [verb (intransitive)] > act dishonestly
smouch1848
graft1859
grift1926
to pull a stroke1970
1859 National Police Gaz. (U.S.) 14 May 3/4 Liz Thompson and her husband..do not intend going out to ‘graft’ until the summer season sets in, when they are going to Newport, Saratoga, and other fashionable watering resorts, at which game she made out so good last season.
1863 Illustr. London News 13 June 658/3 I am progressing wonderfully, and I expect Poll and Bob will be able to go out with me and graft (pick pockets) in a few days.
1895 McClure's Mag. Feb. 247/2 He had been ‘grafting’ with a ‘mob’ of pickpockets at county fairs.
1903 H. Hapgood Autobiogr. Thief (1904) ii. 48 I know some thieves who, although they have grafted for twenty-five years, have not yet ‘done time’.
1905 D. G. Phillips Plum Tree 61 I don't see how those in politics that don't graft, as they call it, are any better than those that do. Would they get office if they didn't help on the jobs of the grafters?
1960 Observer 25 Dec. 7/6 Anybody who had neglected to have a nice tickle during the late autumn would be out grafting for all he was worth.
1967 J. Morgan Involved 27 They used to graft together..they pulled one or two big capers.
2. to graft on to: to secure by illicit means.
ΚΠ
1903 A. Adams Log of Cowboy xiii. 84 He had a card or two up his sleeve by which he expected to graft on to some coin of the realm.
Derivatives
ˈgrafting n.3 and adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > lack of principle or integrity > [noun] > dishonesty > action
brokery1602
trinketing1646
adultery1753
traffickery1838
hanky-panky1841
grafting1859
shystering1860
graft1865
skulduggery1867
sharp practice1869
in and out work1888
by-practice1913
grift1914
dirty pool1973
1859 G. W. Matsell Vocabulum 39 Grafting, working; helping another to steal.
1901 ‘J. Flynt’ World of Graft 78 They make their living, such as it is, by grafting.
1904 Treasury Oct. 8/2 We excel other countries in the phenomenal corruption of our city Governments and Legislatures. The evil system of ‘grafting’, so called, extends everywhere.
1912 F. J. Haskin Amer. Govt. 71 Large business houses felt the loss from the petty grafting of stamps by office boys.
1921 Glasgow Herald 13 June 9 The efforts of professional and grafting Irish agitators.
1960 Observer 25 Dec. 7/7 Christmas Day was not likely to be a big grafting day for various reasons.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.51865v.11483v.21823v.31859v.41859- for my behalf
- for my cause
- for my etc cause
- for my etc love
- for my etc share
- for my hand
- for my his cause
- for my his share
- for my life
- for my love
- for my mind
- for my money
- for my our love
- for my share
- for my sins
- for myself
- for name sake
- for naught
- for need
- for nesh or hard
- for new time
- for no case
- for no kin meed
- for no meed
- for nothing