I. ˈtərf noun
( plural turfs ˈtərfs ; also turves ˈtərvz)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German zurba turf, Sanskrit darbha tuft of grass
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : the upper stratum of soil bound by grass and plant roots into a thick mat ; also : a piece of this
b. : an artificial substitute for this (as on a playing field)
c. : grass 3
2.
a. : peat 2
b. : a piece of peat dried for fuel
3.
a. : a track or course for horse racing
b. : the sport or business of horse racing
4.
a. : territory considered by a teenage gang to be under its control
b. : territory 2
have to play two of the last three games on hostile turf — Joe Klein
in chapter two, the author is on unfamiliar turf
also : a sphere of activity or influence
people who could hurt him on his own foreign-policy turf — Wall Street Journal
• turfy ˈtər-fē adjective
II. transitive verb
Date: 15th century
1. : to cover with turf
2. chiefly British : to eject forcibly : kick — usually used with out