Dictionary

turfdom en · NOUN

Etymology

Etymology tree English turf Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-mos Proto-Indo-European *dʰóh₁mos Proto-Germanic *dōmaz Proto-Germanic *-dōmaz Proto-West Germanic *-dōm Old English -dōm Middle English -dom English -dom English turfdom From turf + -dom.

Meanings

1. (uncountable) The sport of horse racing
   • The eyes of turfdom are turned tomorrow to the Blue Grass stakes at Lexington […] 1921 April 30, “Turfdom Eyes Derby Starters Who Race Today”, in Chicago Daily Tribune, archived from the original on 30 Jun 2013:
2. (uncountable) Territoriality
   • Monastics of all ages should be on the lookout for the danger of turfdom. Having been given a job to do, they make it into their kingdom where no one else may enter. 1997, Francis Kline, Lovers of the Place, →ISBN, page 65:
3. (countable) A private domain, especially in academic settings
   • It may be necessary to meet in private with one or more of the senior staff to remind them that the organization is looking to build teams, not turfdoms. 1992, James P. Gelatt, Managing Nonprofit Organizations in the 21st Century, page 141:

Forms

Relateds

turf battle · turfism

Synonyms

fiefdom (private domain) · turfism · bailiwick (private domain) · territoriality · territory (private domain)