n. A genus comprising the gopher tortoises, North AMerican burrowing toroises.
Syn. -- genus Gopherus. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

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 Geomyidæ; -- called also pocket gopher and pouched rat. See Pocket gopher, and Tucan. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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 Sciuridæ; 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 ]

. Minnesota; -- a nickname alluding to the abundance of gophers. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. A small handsome round-headed deciduous tree (Cladrastis lutea) having showy white flowers in terminal clusters and heavy hardwood yielding yellow dye; also called yellowwood.
Syn. -- Kentucky yellowwood, Cladrastis lutea, Cladrastis kentukea, yellowwood. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

[ Heb. gōpher. ] A species of wood used in the construction of Noah's ark. Gen. vi. 14. [ 1913 Webster ]