Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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.