D defs.my
Entry 4 senses Webster, 1913

Gopher

/gōf'-ẽr/ · Go·pher · IPA /ˈɡoʊfɚ/
01 n. One of several North American burrowing rodents of the genera Geomys and Thomomys, of the family Geomyidæ; -- called also pocket gopher and…
  1. 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.(Zool.) Also: pocket gopher, pouched rat See: Pocket gopher, Tucan
  2. 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. Also: striped prairie squirrel, leopard marmot, leopard spermophile See: Spermophile
  3. 3.
    A large land tortoise (Testudo Carilina) of the Southern United States, which makes extensive burrows.
  4. 4.
    A large burrowing snake (Spilotes Couperi) of the Southern United States.
Phrases & compounds
Gopher drift — an irregular prospecting drift, following or seeking the ore without regard to regular grade or section.