from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Gopher \Go"pher\, n. [F. gaufre waffle, honeycomb. See
{Gauffer}.] (Zool.)
1. One of several North American burrowing rodents of the
genera {Geomys} and {Thomomys}, of the family
{Geomyid[ae]}; -- called also {pocket gopher} and {pouched
rat}. See {Pocket gopher}, and {Tucan}.
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Note: The name was originally given by French settlers to
many burrowing rodents, from their honeycombing the
earth.
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2. One of several western American species of the genus
{Spermophilus}, of the family {Sciurid[ae]}; as, the gray
gopher ({Spermophilus Franklini}) and the striped gopher
({S. tridecemlineatus}); -- called also {striped prairie
squirrel}, {leopard marmot}, and {leopard spermophile}.
See {Spermophile}.
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3. A large land tortoise ({Testudo Carilina}) of the Southern
United States, which makes extensive burrows.
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4. A large burrowing snake ({Spilotes Couperi}) of the
Southern United States.
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{Gopher drift} (Mining), an irregular prospecting drift,
following or seeking the ore without regard to regular
grade or section. --Raymond.
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