noun / verb
graft
Living material joined to another site so it can grow there.
The graft grows into a healthy branch on the apple tree.
Etymology
The older word named a shoot or cutting inserted into another plant. The medical sense extends that joining of living material to tissue transferred to another site.
More examples
- Gardeners graft rose buds onto sturdy rootstock.
- A skin graft helps cover the patient's burn.
- The surgeon grafts healthy tissue onto the damaged area.
Forms
graft · grafts · grafted · grafting
Similar words
- transplant
- Emphasizes moving living material rather than joining it to tissue.
- implant
- Places material inside the body, not necessarily living tissue.