Category:Turkey

Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 A.D. from the Anatolian remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa Kemal, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopted wide-ranging social, legal, and political reforms. After a period of one-party rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950 A.D. election victory of the opposition Democratic Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and intermittent military coups (1960 A.D., 1971 A.D., 1980 A.D.), which in each case eventually resulted in a return of political power to civilians. In 1997 A.D., the military again helped engineer the ouster - popularly dubbed a "post-modern coup" - of the then Islamic-oriented government. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 A.D. to prevent a Greek takeover of the island and has since acted as patron state to the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which only Turkey recognizes. A separatist insurgency begun in 1984 A.D. by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - now known as the People's Congress of Kurdistan or Kongra-Gel (KGK) - has dominated the Turkish military's attention and claimed more than 30,000 lives. After the capture of the group's leader in 1999 A.D., the insurgents largely withdrew from Turkey mainly to northern Iraq. In 2004 A.D., KGK announced an end to its ceasefire and attacks attributed to the KGK increased. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 A.D. and in 1952 A.D. it became a member of NATO. In 1964 A.D., Turkey became an associate member of the European Community; over the past decade, it has undertaken many reforms to strengthen its democracy and economy enabling it to begin accession membership talks with the European Union. Turkish is the official language; Kurdish, Dimli (or Zaza), Azeri, and Kabardian are also spoken.

Tur"key, n. Etym: [cf. 2d turkey.]

Defn: an empire in the southeast of europe and southwest of asia. Turkey carpet, a superior kind of carpet made in asia minor and Adjoining countries, having a deep pile and composed of pure wool With a weft of different material. It is distinguishable by its Coloring and patterns from similar carpets made in india and Elsewhere. -- turkey oak. (bot.) See cerris. -- turkey red. (a) a brilliant red imparted by madder to cottons, Calicoes, etc., the fiber of which has been prepared previously with Oil or other fatty matter. (b) cloth dyed with this red. -- turkey sponge. (zoöl.) See toilet sponge, under sponge. -- turkey stone, a kind of oilstone from turkey; novaculite; -- Called also turkey oilstone.

Turkey Tur"key, n.; pl. Turkeys. Etym: [so called because it was formerly Erroneously believed that it came originally from turkey: cf. F. Turquie turkey. See turk.] (zoöl.)

Defn: any large american gallinaceous bird belonging to the genus Meleagris, especially the north american wild turkey (meleagris Gallopavo), and the domestic turkey, which was probably derived from The mexican wild turkey, but had been domesticated by the indians Long before the discovery of america.

Note: the mexican wild turkey is now considered a variety of the Northern species (var. Mexicana). Its tall feathers and coverts are Tipped with white instead of brownish chestnut, and its flesh is White. The central american, or ocellated, turkey (m. ocellata) is More elegantly colored than the common species. See under ocellated. The australian, or native, turkey is a bustard (choriotis australis). See under native. Turkey beard (bot.), a name of certain american Perennial liliaceous herbs of the genus xerophyllum. They have a Dense tuft of hard, narrowly linear radical leaves, and a long raceme Of small whitish flowers. Also called turkey's beard. -- turkey berry (bot.), a west indian name for the fruit of certain Kinds of nightshade (solanum mammosum, and s. torvum). -- turkey bird (zoöl.), the wryneck. So called because it erects and Ruffles the feathers of its neck when disturbed. [prov. Eng.] -- Turkey buzzard (zoöl.), a black or nearly black buzzard (cathartes Aura), abundant in the southern united states. It is so called Because its naked and warty head and neck resemble those of a turkey. Its is noted for its high and graceful flight. Called also turkey Vulture. -- turkey cock (zoöl.), a male turkey. -- turkey hen (zoöl.), a female turkey. -- turkey pout (zoöl.), a young turkey. [r.] -- turkey vulture (zoöl.), the turkey buzzard.