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2 definitions found
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 : [ gcide ]
Gopher \Go"pher\, n. [F. gaufre waffle, honeycomb. See
Gauffer.] (Zo["o]l.)
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.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The name was originally given by French settlers to
many burrowing rodents, from their honeycombing the
earth.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
3. A large land tortoise ({Testudo Carilina) of the Southern
United States, which makes extensive burrows.
[1913 Webster]
4. A large burrowing snake ({Spilotes Couperi) of the
Southern United States.
[1913 Webster]
Gopher drift (Mining), an irregular prospecting drift,
following or seeking the ore without regard to regular
grade or section. --Raymond.
[1913 Webster]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) : [ web1913 ]
Gopher \Go"pher\, n. [F. gaufre waffle, honeycomb. See
Gauffer.] (Zo["o]l.)
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.
Note: The name was originally given by French settlers to
many burrowing rodents, from their honeycombing the
earth.
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.
3. A large land tortoise ({Testudo Carilina) of the Southern
United States, which makes extensive burrows.
4. A large burrowing snake ({Spilotes Couperi) of the
Southern United States.
Gopher drift (Mining), an irregular prospecting drift,
following or seeking the ore without regard to regular
grade or section. --Raymond.
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