turf

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the surface layer of earth held together by grass and roots

   The explosion tore up chunks of turf around the hole.

2. 2
   noun

   an area or field that someone regards as their own territory or sphere of influence

   The manager saw the new proposal as an invasion of his turf.

3. 3
   verb

   to cover ground with turf

   They turfed the new lawn in early spring.

From Old English turf, "sod, soil, piece of grass-covered earth," from a Germanic root also seen in Dutch turf and German Torf. The territorial slang sense grows from land as ground one controls.

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