What is "turf ant"

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.

   At his head a grass-green turf.
   --Shak.

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

2. Peat, especially when prepared for fuel. See Peat.

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

   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.

   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.

n. A small European ant (''Formica flava'') which makes small anthills on heaths and commons.