turbary

[ tur-buh-ree ]

noun

, plural tur·ba·ries.

1. land, or a piece of land, where turf or peat may be dug or cut.
2. Law. the right to cut turf or peat on a common land or on another person's land.

turbary

/ ˈtɜːbərɪ /

noun

1. land where peat or turf is cut or has been cut
2. Also calledcommon of turbary (in England) the legal right to cut peat for fuel on a common

Word History and Origins

Origin of turbary¹

1275–1325; Middle English turbarye < Medieval Latin turbāria, equivalent to turb(a) turf + -āria -ary ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of turbary¹

C14: from Old French turbarie , from Medieval Latin turbāria , from turba peat, turf

Example Sentences

For that dispute would not have been so obstinate and envenomed had it been simply a question of grazing, turbary, and right-of-way.

From Project Gutenberg

Turbary, tur′ba-ri, n. the right to go upon the soil of another and dig turf, and carry off the same: a place where peat is dug.

From Project Gutenberg

In this little plain is an almost inexhaustible turbary, or right of digging turf.

From Project Gutenberg

Like many rural families, Luke 'Ming' Flanagan's have turf-cutting - or turbary - rights on a bog that is among Europe's most threatened habitats.

From BBC

On estimating the value of the Commons in Middlesex, including every advantage that can be derived from them in pasturage, locality of situation, and the barbarous custom of turbary, it appears that they do not produce to the Community, in their present state, more than four shillings per Acre!

From Project Gutenberg