Horticultural term for a shoot or bud grafted onto a rootstock. Also spelled 継ぎ穂.
This scion has taken firmly to the rootstock.
conversation starter; opportunity to continue talking
Metaphorical use: a remark or topic that serves as a 'graft' to keep a conversation going. Often used in the phrase 話の接ぎ穂.
When choosing a scion, please select a healthy branch.
His casual remark became an opportunity to continue the conversation.
When the conversation stalls, the weather is a handy conversation starter.
Standard kanji spelling for the horticultural sense; 接ぎ (grafting) + 穂 (ear/spike).
Abbreviated spelling; less common.
Alternate spelling using 継ぎ (splicing/joining); also common.
Abbreviated spelling; less common.
Compound of 接ぎ (tsugi, 'grafting, splicing') + 穂 (ho, 'ear, spike'). The horticultural sense is literal; the conversational sense is a metaphorical extension.