1. [n]  the act of grafting something onto something else
2. [n]  the practice of offering something (usually money) in order to gain an illicit advantage
3. [n]  (surgery) tissue or organ transplanted from a donor to a recipient; in some cases the patient can be both donor and recipient
4. [v]  in surgery
5. [v]  cause to grow together parts from different plants; "graft the cherry tree branch onto the plum tree"

1. \Graft\, n. [OE. graff, F. greffe, originally the same
   word as OF. grafe pencil, L. graphium, Gr. ?, ?, fr. ? to
   write; prob. akin to E. carve. So named from the resemblance
   of a scion or shoot to a pointed pencil. Cf. {Graphic},
   {Grammar.}]
   (a) A small shoot or scion of a tree inserted in another
       tree, the stock of which is to support and nourish it.
       The two unite and become one tree, but the graft
       determines the kind of fruit.
   (b) A branch or portion of a tree growing from such a shoot.
   (c) (Surg.) A portion of living tissue used in the operation
       of autoplasty.
   
   

2. \Graft\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Grafted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Grafting}.] [F. greffer. See {Graft}, n.]
   1. To insert (a graft) in a branch or stem of another tree;
      to propagate by insertion in another stock; also, to
      insert a graft upon. [Formerly written {graff}.]
   
   2. (Surg.) To implant a portion of (living flesh or akin) in
      a lesion so as to form an organic union.
   
   3. To join (one thing) to another as if by grafting, so as to
      bring about a close union.
   
            And graft my love immortal on thy fame ! --Pope.
   
   4. (Naut.) To cover, as a ring bolt, block strap, splicing,
      etc., with a weaving of small cord or rope-yarns.
   
   

3. \Graft\, v. i.
   To insert scions from one tree, or kind of tree, etc., into
   another; to practice grafting.
   
   

4. \Graft\, n. [Prob. orig. so called because illegitimate or
   improper profit was looked upon as a graft, or sort of
   excrescence, on a legitimate business undertaking, in
   distinction from its natural proper development.]
   1. Acquisition of money, position, etc., by dishonest or
      unjust means, as by actual theft or by taking advantage of
      a public office or any position of trust or employment to
      obtain fees, perquisites, profits on contracts,
      legislation, pay for work not done or service not
      performed, etc.; illegal or unfair practice for profit or
      personal advantage; also, anything thus gained. [Colloq.]
   
   2. A ``soft thing'' or ``easy thing;'' a ``snap.'' [Slang]
   
   

the process of inoculating fruit-trees (Rom. 11:17-24). It is peculiarly appropriate to olive-trees. The union thus of branches to a stem is used to illustrate the union of true believers to the true Church.