Formica flava

Turf Turf (t[^u]rf), n.; pl. {Turfs}, Obs. {Turves}. [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. [1913 Webster]

At his head a grass-green turf. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

The Greek historian sets her in the field on a high heap of turves. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. Peat, especially when prepared for fuel. See {Peat}. [1913 Webster]

3. Race course; horse racing; -- preceded by the. ``We . . . claim the honors of the turf.'' --Cowper. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

{Turf ant} (Zo["o]l.), 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. [1913 Webster]