turfdom

English

Etymology

turf +‎ -dom

Noun

turfdom (countable and uncountable, plural turfdoms)

1. (uncountable) The sport of horse racing
   • 1921 April 30, “Turfdom Eyes Derby Starters Who Race Today”, in Chicago Daily Tribune‎^[1]:

     The eyes of turfdom are turned tomorrow to the Blue Grass stakes at Lexington […]

2. (uncountable) Territoriality
   • 1997, Francis Kline, Lovers of the Place‎^[2], →ISBN, page 65:

     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.

3. (countable) A private domain, especially in academic settings
   • 1992, James P. Gelatt, Managing Nonprofit Organizations in the 21st Century‎^[3], page 141:

     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.

Synonyms

• (territoriality): territoriality, turfism
• (private domain): fiefdom, territory, bailiwick

Related terms

• turfism
• turf battle