turf

TURF, noun 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. This is otherwise called sward and sod. 2. Peat; a peculiar kind of blackish, fibrous, vegetable, earthy substance, used as fuel. [Dryden and Addison wrote turfs, in the plural. But when turf or peat is cut into small pieces, the practice now is to call them turves.] 3. Race-ground; or horse-racing. The honors of the turf are all our own. TURF, verb transitive To cover with turf or sod; as, to turf a bank or the border of a terrace. TURF'-COVERED, adjective Covered with turf TURF'-DRAIN, noun A drain filled with turf or peat.