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Glite Dictionary
gopherwood

gopherwood

9.9
A small tree with white flowers and hard wood used for yellow dye, named in the Bible
  • noun
  • /ˈɡoʊfərˌwʊd/
  • Archaic
translation icon : madera de gopher
  • The carpenter explained that gopherwood is valued for its heavy hardwood and beautiful flowers.

Examples

  • "Make thee an ark of gopherwood..."

    Evan Almighty (2007)

  • Well, it's not really gopherwood.

    Evan Almighty (2007)

  • Gopherwood.

    Evan Almighty (2007)

  • The ancient text mentioned that Noah constructed the Ark using gopherwood.

  • Many scholars believe that gopherwood refers to a specific type of tree used in biblical times.

Synonyms

Cladrastis kentukea
vsgopherwood
  • Specialized
9.9

A small tree with white hanging flowers and yellow wood used for furniture

is the traditional or historical name tied to biblical reference
Cladrastis lutea
vsgopherwood
  • Specialized
9.9

A small tree from eastern North America with clusters of white flowers and wood used to make yellow dye

adds a traditional biblical name rather than only botanical detail
Kentucky yellowwood
vsgopherwood
  • US
9.3

A small tree with a round top, white flower groups, and heavy wood used for yellow dye

is the older non-botanical term linked to scripture and broader tradition

Surface Forms

gopherwood singular
gopherwoods plural

Etymology

Gopherwood appears in the Bible and the first part, gopher, is an old Hebrew word we do not know for sure. A helpful way to remember it is to think of gopherwood as 'special tree wood', perhaps a strong, worked wood like cypress, which explains why it is named as the wood used to build Noah's Ark.