Category:Turf

Turf (tûrf), n.; pl. Turfs, obs. Turves. Etym: [as. turf; akin to d. Turf peat, g. torf, ohg. zurba turf, sw. & icel. torf turf, peat, Dan. törv, skr. darbha a kind of grass, a tuft of grass. sq. Root242.]

1. That upper stratum of earth and vegetable mold which is filled With the roots of grass and other small plants, so as to adhere and Form a kind of mat; sward; sod. At his head a grass-green turf. Shak. The greek historian sets her in the field on a high heap of turves. Milton.

2. Peat, especially when prepared for fuel. See peat.

3. Race course; horse racing; -- preceded by the. "we . . . claim the Honors of the turf." Cowper.

Note: turf is often used adjectively, or to form compounds which are Generally self-explaining; as, turf ashes, turf cutter or turf- Cutter, turf pit or turf-pit, turf-built, turf-clad, turf-covered, Etc. Turf ant (zoöl.), a small european ant (formica flava) which Makes small ant-hills on heaths and commons. -- turf drain, a drain made with turf or peat. -- turf hedge, a hedge or fence formed with turf and plants of Different kinds. -- turf house, a house or shed formed of turf, common in the Northern parts of europe. -- turf moss a tract of turfy, mossy, or boggy land. -- turf spade, a spade for cutting and digging turf, longer and Narrower than the common spade.

Turf Turf, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Turfed; p. pr. & vb. n. Turfing.]

Defn: to cover with turf or sod; as, to turf a bank, of the border of A terrace. A. Tucker.