Turf
turf (turf), n.; pl.Turfs (#), Obs. Turves (#). (AS.
turf; akin to D. turf peat, G. torf, OHG. zurba
turf, Sw. rv, Skr.
darbha a kind of grass, a tuft of grass. r242.)
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.
f 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 (Zool.), 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 , v. t. (imp. p. pr. as, to turf a bank, of the border of
a terrace. A. Tucker.
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