Turf

pl. TÛRFS (TŪRVES, obs.). [A-S. & D. turf, O. D., L. Ger., Sw., & Icel. torf, Dan. törv, O. H. Ger. zurf, zurft, zurba, L. Lat. turba, zurba, Sp. turba, It. torba, Fr. tourbe, allied to Ir. & Gael. torp, a clod, lump.]

1Sense 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 feet a grass-green turf.” Shak.

The Greek historian sets her in the field on a high heap of turves. Milton.

2Sense 2. A peculiar kind of blackish, fibrous, vegetable, earthy substance, used as fuel; peat, especially when prepared for fuel.

3Sense 3. Race-ground; or horse-racing.

The honors of the turf are all our own. Cooper.

This word is sometimes joined with other words, forming self-explaining compounds; as, turf-ashes, turf-built, turf-clad, turf-covered, turf-cutter, turf-pit, and the like.

[imp. & p. p. TURFED (tûrft); p. pr. & vb. n. TURFING.] To cover with turf or sod; as, to turf a bank, or the border of a terrace.