Turfs

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Turf \Turf\ (t[^u]rf), n.; pl. {Turfs} (t[^u]rfs), Obs. {Turves}
     (t[^u]rvz). [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.
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              At his head a grass-green turf.       --Shak.
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              The Greek historian sets her in the field on a high
              heap of turves.                       --Milton.
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     2. Peat, especially when prepared for fuel. See {Peat}.
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     3. Race course; horse racing; -- preceded by the. "We . . .
        claim the honors of the turf." --Cowper.
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     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.
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     {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.
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