graff

1 of 4

verb

ˈgraf,

-ȧf

-ed/-ing/-s

archaic

: graft entry 1

graff

2 of 4

noun (1)

plural -s

archaic

: graft entry 2

graff

3 of 4

dialectal British variant of grave

graff

4 of 4

noun

plural -s

: a trench, ditch, fosse, or canal used in fortification especially as a moat

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English graffen, from Middle French grafier, from grafe, noun

Noun (1)

Middle English graffe, from Middle French grafe, from Medieval Latin graphium, from Latin, stylus, from Greek grapheion, from graphein to write; from the resemblance of the scion inserted at an angle in the tree to a stylus poised for writing

Noun

Dutch graaf, from Middle Dutch grave, from graven to dig; akin to Old High German graban to dig