Turf word meaning and definition

[noun] (informal) range of jurisdiction or influence; "a bureaucracy...chiefly concerned with turf...and protecting the retirement system"
[noun] the territory claimed by a juvenile gang as its own
[noun] surface layer of ground containing a matt of grass and grass roots
[verb] cover with turf

\Turf\ (t[^u]rf), n.; pl. {Turfs}, Obs. {Turves}. [AS. turf; akin to D. turf peat, G. torf, OHG. zurba turf, Sw. & Icel. torf turf, peat, Dan. t["o]rv, Skr. darbha a kind of grass, a tuft of grass. [root]242.] 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} (Zo["o]l.), 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. p. {Turfed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Turfing}.] To cover with turf or sod; as, to turf a bank, of the border of a terrace. --A. Tucker.

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