turf
- a layer of matted earth formed by grass and plant roots.
- peat, especially as material for fuel.
- a block or piece of peat dug for fuel.
- Slang.
- the neighborhood over which a street gang asserts its authority.
- a familiar area, as of residence or expertise: Denver is her turf. When you talk literature you're getting into my turf.
- Chiefly British. a piece cut or torn from the surface of grassland; sod.
- the turf,
- the track over which horse races are run.
- the practice or sport of racing horses.
- to cover with turf or sod.
- British Slang. to remove from a desirable office or position; expel; kick out: He was turfed from leadership of the group.
Origin of turf
Examples from the Web for turf
Contemporary Examples
There might be some opportunities on trade and tax policy, but those will exist about 75 percent on Republican turf.
The Democratic Party is defending more than a half-dozen seats on Republican-friendly turf.
Obama traveled to Tampa Wednesday to meet with Austin about the ISIS strategy on his own turf.
Perhaps thanks to the surf and turf and the stellar Bordeaux and Sauvignon Blanc, there were no lost tempers.
Argentina and Belgium, earlier in the day, had fought out a fascinating duel, not unlike chess on turf.
Historical Examples
Well, sir, the next week I found him stealing my turf again!
Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
Telephassa bade him sit down on the turf beside her, and then she took his hand.
Tanglewood TalesNathaniel Hawthorne
Where have you lived, my lady, all your life, not to know a turf stack when you see it?
Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
The origin of these turf monuments is still a matter of controversy.
English VillagesP. H. Ditchfield
But light be the turf upon his breast who taught "Reverence thyself!"
The Letters of Robert BurnsRobert Burns
turf
- the surface layer of fields and pastures, consisting of earth containing a dense growth of grasses with their roots; sod
- a piece cut from this layer, used to form lawns, verges, etc
- the turf
- a track, usually of grass or dirt, where horse races are run
- horse racing as a sport or industry
- US slang the territory or area of activity over which a person or group claims exclusive rights
- an area of knowledge or influencehe's on home turf when it comes to music
- another term for peat 1
- go with the turf informal to be an unavoidable part of a particular situation or process
- (tr) to cover with pieces of turf
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for turf
n.
Old English turf, tyrf "slab of soil and grass," also "surface of grassland," from Proto-Germanic *turb- (cf. Old Norse torf, Danish tørv, Old Frisian turf, Old High German zurba, German Torf), from PIE root *drbh- (cf. Sanskrit darbhah "tuft of grass").
French tourbe "turf" is a Germanic loan-word. The Old English plural was identical with the singluar, but in Middle English turves sometimes was used. Slang meaning "territory claimed by a gang" is attested from 1953 in Brooklyn, N.Y.; earlier it had a jive talk sense of "the street, the sidewalk" (1930s), which is attested in hobo use from 1899, and before that "the work and venue of a prostitute" (1860). Turf war is recorded from 1962.
v.
early 15c., "to cover (ground) with turf," from turf (n.). Related: Turfed; turfing.