turfy

comparative turfier · superlative turfiest

1. Of, pertaining to, or constructed of turf.

   Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep,

   1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]

   3 more examples

   The wind still sounds between the hills: and whistles through the grass of the rock. The firs fall from their place. The turfy hut is torn.

   1762, James Macpherson, “Croma”, in Fingal, London: T. Becket and P.A. de Hondt, p. 254, footnote

   “Can you see many long weeds and nettles amongst the graves; or do they look turfy and flowery?”

   1849, Currer Bell [pseudonym; Charlotte Brontë], “The Valley of the Shadow of Death”, in Shirley. A Tale. […], volume III, London: Smith, Elder and Co., […], →OCLC, page 14

   […] the fields […] were brown, turfy and stiff, these fields where battles of the Hundred Years’ War had been fought,

   1953 September 18, Saul Bellow, chapter XXVI, in The Adventures of Augie March […], New York, N.Y.: The Viking Press, →OCLC, page 535

2. obsoleteRelating to or involved with horses or horse-racing.

   When a Frenchman is horsey he never runs the risk of being mistaken for a groom or a jockey, as do his turfy compeers in England.

   1895, Henry Seton Merriman, chapter 14, in The Sowers, New York: Harper, page 121

   2 more examples

   Good and fearless horse-women themselves, their whole delight seemed to be in the discussion of matters pertaining to the stable; and when meeting any young lady friend from a distance, the first questions were not enquiries after parents, sisters, brothers, or friends: no, nor even the lady-beloved talk of weddings and dress; but the discourse almost invariably took a “turfy” turn, that was, to say the least, unfeminine in the extreme.

   1852, Louisa Anne Meredith, chapter 11, in My Home in Tasmania, volume 2, London: John Murray, pages 154–155

   Made up with curls, wreaths, wings, white bismuth, and carmine, this hopeful young person soared into so pleasing a Cupid as to constitute the chief delight of the maternal part of the spectators; but, in private, where his characteristics were a precocious cutaway coat and an extremely gruff voice, he became of the Turf, turfy.

   1854, Charles Dickens, chapter 6, in Hard Times. For These Times, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], →OCLC, 1st book (Sowing), page 36

   Synonyms: horsy