sürüü

Sürü is a Turkish noun meaning a herd or flock of domesticated animals. It is used to refer to groups such as sheep, cattle, goats, or horses that are managed as a unit. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe a large, moving group of people. In everyday Turkish, phrases like koyun sürüsü (a flock of sheep) and sığır sürüsü (a herd of cattle) are common.

Etymology and sense development: The word derives from the Turkish root sür- meaning to drive or herd, related to verbs such as sürmek (to drive, to herd, to move) and to terms like sürücü (herder). The development traces back to Turkic language history, with the core sense being a group that is guided or driven along by humans or herders.

Context in agriculture and husbandry: In rural practice, a sürü is typically managed by a shepherd or herder and may participate in seasonal movements between pastures, a pattern known as transhumance. The size and composition of a sürü vary by species and region. Breeding or dairy operations may designate a specialized group, such as damızlık sürü (breeding herd), within a larger herd. Practices surrounding a sürü influence animal care, grazing patterns, and animal production.

Cultural usage and idioms: In modern Turkish, sürü also appears in idiomatic expressions to describe crowds or a lack of individual distinctiveness, such as the concept of herd mentality (sürü psikolojisi). Thus, the term encompasses both agricultural and cultural dimensions and is widely recognized in everyday language.