turbary

American  

[tur-buh-ree] / ˈtɜr bə ri /

noun

plural

turbaries

1. land, or a piece of land, where turf or peat may be dug or cut.

2. Law. the right to cut turf or peat on a common land or on another person's land.

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turbary British  

/ ˈtɜːbərɪ /

noun

1. land where peat or turf is cut or has been cut

2. Also called: common of turbary.  (in England) the legal right to cut peat for fuel on a common

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Etymology

Origin of turbary

1275–1325; Middle English turbarye < Medieval Latin turbāria, equivalent to turb(a) turf + -āria -ary ( def. )

Example Sentences

Like many rural families, Luke 'Ming' Flanagan's have turf-cutting - or turbary - rights on a bog that is among Europe's most threatened habitats.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2011

Their rights of usufruct, grazing, pannage, estovers, turbary and piscary survived for many centuries before being terminated: first informally, later in wholesale acts of enclosure.

From The Guardian • Jan. 31, 2011

The privilege of turbary, or “getting turf,” was a valuable one, and was conferred frequently on the burgesses of towns paying scot and lot. 

From Recollections of Old Liverpool by Nonagenarian, A

I had a few words with the agent about the turbary this morning, and maybe you're better without me.

From Three Plays by Colum, Padraic

Another right of common is that of turbary, or the right to cut turf or peat for fuel.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 7 "Columbus" to "Condottiere" by Various