▪ I. grafting, vbl. n.1
(ˈgrɑːftɪŋ, -æ-)
[f. graft v.1 + -ing1.]
The action of graft v.1
1. The action of inserting a graft (see graft n.1 1). For cleft-, crown-, saddle-, tongue-, whip-, etc. grafting, see the n. which forms the first member.
| 1483 Cath. Angl. 162/1 A Graftynge, insicium. 1560 [see graft n.1 1]. 1666 Boyle Orig. Formes & Qual. 129 'Tis worth observing..what happens both in ordinary graftings, and especially in that kind of Insition..which is commonly call'd Inoculation. 1807 Med. Jrnl. XVII. 196 New and superior species of apples may be produced from seed: and..impregnating the pollen was found to be an advantageous substitute for grafting. 1860 Delamer Kitch. Gard. (1861) 143 The reader is strongly advised to take lessons in grafting and budding. |
| fig. 1833 Lamb Elia Ser. ii. Wedding, The hurry a beloved child is sometimes in to tear herself from the paternal stock, and commit herself to strange graftings. 1865 Tylor Early Hist. Man. ii. 22 The grafting of the English, French or German grammar and dictionary on the gesture-language. |
† 2. The place where a graft is inserted; its junction with the stem. Also transf. Obs.
| 1601 Holland Pliny II. 271 It riseth vp with a four cornered stem..hauing many concauities or holes like arm⁓pits in the grafting of the branches to the said stem. |
3. In various technical senses: a. Naut. ‘An ornamental weaving of fine yarns, etc., over the strop of a block; or applied to the tapered ends of the ropes, and termed pointing’ (Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 1867; see also quot. 1815). b. Surg. The transference of a portion of skin, etc. to another part of the body, or to another body. c. Carpentry. ‘A scarfing or endwise attachment of one timber to another, as in attaching an extra length or false pile to one already driven’ (Knight Dict. Mech. 1875). d. Knitting. (See quot. 1880.)
| 1815 Falconer's Dict. Marine (ed. Burney), Grafting a rope, the act of unlaying the two ends of it, placing the strands one within the other, as for splicing, and stopping them at the joining. The yarns are then opened out, split, and made into knittles for pointing. 1841 Lady Wilton Art Needlework (ed. 3) xx. 317 There is..darning—grafting—and patching. 1858 Simmonds Dict. Trade, Grafting,..knitting new feet to stockings. 1880 Plain Knitting 33 This..grafting..is joining two pieces together, and is useful in joining a new foot to an old leg. 1888 H. Morten Sk. Hosp. Life 66 We must try grafting on that boy..who was burnt. You don't mind parting with a few portions of your epidermis, I suppose? 1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 207 No authentic instance..is at present forthcoming of the grafting of human carcinoma upon any of the lower animals. 1897 W. Anderson Surg. Treat. Lupus 14 The advantages of epidermic grafting..are obvious. |
4. attrib. and Comb., as grafting chisel, grafting knife, grafting saw, grafting time; grafting clay, wax, a mixture of clay or wax and other ingredients, forming a composition with which to cover the united parts of a scion and stock in grafting.
| 1483 Cath. Angl. 162/1 A Graftyngtyme, insicio. 1727 Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Grafting, Then must the Gardener..cut it with his Grafting Knife in the Shape of a Wedge. 1727–41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Engrafting, Clay, mixed with horse-dung, [etc.]..; also..grafting wax. Ibid., In this cleft, the grafting chissel, or wedge, is put to keep it open. 1802 Forsyth Fruit-trees vi. 79 The Composition..should be rather softer than grafting-clay generally is. 1875 Knight Dict. Mech. 1001/2 Grafting-saw, a tenon-saw for cutting off stocks for grafting. |
▪ II. grafting, vbl. n.2
See graft v.2
▪ III. grafting, vbl. n.3
see graft v.4