turf
turf
UK[tɜːf]US[tɜːrf]
n
the surface of the ground consisting of grass and the soil it is growing in
n
an area or a piece of such grass, especially when cut and rolled up
n
a subject or activity that a person or group considers as their own and tries to prevent others from becoming involved in
v
to cover an area of ground with turf
Etymology
the word "turf" has a deep germanic lineage, tracing back to old english turf, tyrf, meaning a piece of sod or peat. this, in turn, derives from proto-germanic turbz, which is likely related to the concept of something cut or torn. the word is further connected to old norse torf and old high german zurb, all sharing the core meaning of a slice of earth with grass. from its original, concrete meaning of a grassy surface or a piece of peat used for fuel, the term evolved metaphorically. by the mid-20th century, it developed the abstract sense of a defined territory or sphere of influence, particularly associated with the domain controlled by a street gang or a professional specialty.
Analysis
the word "turf" is a simplex word of germanic origin. it is not productively formed from smaller, independent morphemes in modern english.
Examples
the children played on the soft, green turf of the football pitch.
after the storm, they had to replace several large rolls of damaged turf in their garden.
the two sales teams were fiercely protective of their respective turfs and rarely shared client information.