graf

n. [ OE. grafe, greife, greive. Cf. Margrave. ] A steward; an overseer. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ A prince ] is nothing but a servant, overseer, or graff, and not the head, which is a title belonging only to Christ. John Knox. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. & v. See Graft. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Grave, n. ] The scarp of a ditch or moat. “To clean the graffages.” Miss Mitford. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Greffier. ] (Law.) a notary or scrivener. Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ It., pl. of graffito scratched ] 1. Inscriptions, figure drawings, etc., found on the walls of ancient sepulchers or ruins, as in the Catacombs, or at Pompeii. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. any writings or drawings on a surface in a public place, placed there without authorization of the owner of the object on which it is written. Such graffiti are usually unwelcome, and are considered as form of vandalism. [ PJC ]

n. [ It., fr. graffio a scratching. ] 1. (Art) Production of decorative designs by scratching them through a surface of layer plaster, glazing, etc., revealing a different-colored ground; also, pottery or ware so decorated; -- chiefly used attributively. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. the singular form of graffiti, seldom used. [ PJC ]

v. i. To insert scions from one tree, or kind of tree, etc., into another; to practice grafting. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Surg.) To implant a portion of (living flesh or akin) in a lesion so as to form an organic union. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To join (one thing) to another as if by grafting, so as to bring about a close union. [ 1913 Webster ]

And graft my love immortal on thy fame ! Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Naut.) To cover, as a ring bolt, block strap, splicing, etc., with a weaving of small cord or rope-yarns. [ 1913 Webster ]