Main Entry: mar·su·pi·um

Pronunciation: \mär-ˈsü-pē-əm\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -pia\-pē-ə\

Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, purse, pouch, from Greek marsypion

Date: 1698

1 : an abdominal pouch that is formed of a fold of the skin and encloses the mammary glands of most marsupials
2 : any of several structures in various invertebrates (as a bryozoan or mollusk) for enclosing or carrying eggs or young