grafter

¹

[ graf-ter, grahf- ]

noun

1. Horticulture. a person who combines plants by inserting a bud, shoot, or scion of one plant into a groove or slit in the stem or stock of another, where it continues to grow:

   Join us for a fun time as newbies and seasoned grafters mingle and swap cuttings of various fruit trees.

grafter

²

[ graf-ter, grahf- ]

noun

1. a person who obtains money or other advantage by dishonest, unfair, or illegal means, especially through the abuse of position or influence in politics, business, etc.:

   For 17 years she had been writing newspaper stories about grafters—crooked bankers, corrupt politicians, and the like—and winning armloads of journalism awards for it.

2. British Slang. a worker, especially a particularly industrious or dedicated worker:

   To succeed in this job you also need to be a real grafter, someone eager for a chance to work hard in an ever-growing company.

Word History and Origins

Origin of grafter¹

graft ¹( def ) + -er ¹( def )

Origin of grafter²

graft ² + -er ¹( def )

Example Sentences

If the man becomes a grafter or thief, the President is attacked by the opposition.

From Project Gutenberg

An infallible recipe for the cure of ague is said to be the following: Go to a grafter of trees, and tell him your complaint.

From Project Gutenberg

Comstock was an old-style Puritan, and many insist that he was likewise an old-style grafter.

From Project Gutenberg

It is done in this way: a grafter becomes an assemblyman, and with others lays a plan of graft.

From Project Gutenberg

A pretty decent sort of a grafter, Grove is, but he's done with crooked work and has gone to California to lead a different life.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bandit
• burglar
• con artist
• crook
• looter
• marauder
• mugger
• pickpocket
• pirate
• raider
• rustler
• shoplifter
• swindler
• thief
• thug