grafter

¹ American  

[graf-ter, grahf-] / ˈgræf tər, ˈgrɑf- /

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.

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grafter ² American  

[graf-ter, grahf-] / ˈgræf tər, ˈgrɑf- /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of grafter¹

graft ¹ ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Origin of grafter²

graft ² + -er ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

The couple, who had been together for 24 years, shared a "beautiful family and a granddaughter", Mrs Day said, describing her husband as "just a typical family man, a grafter and a gentle giant".

From BBC

Leanne is confident, optimistic and a grafter.

From BBC

He went from working in the vineyards to becoming a master grafter and eventually owning land and opening his tasting room.

From Los Angeles Times

After encouragement from two passengers, he starts rapping, referring to himself as the B-Town Grafter.

From BBC

James Milner: I remember this player playing for Newcastle United and thinking he's a grafter.

From BBC

Related Words

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