Main Entry:

opos·sum

Pronunciation:

\(ə-)ˈpä-səm\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural opossums also opossum

Etymology:

earlier apossoun, opassom, Virginia Algonquian, from Algonquian *wa·p- white + *-aʔθemw- dog

Date:

1610

1: any of a family (Didelphidae) of American marsupials that usually have a pointed snout and prehensile tail ; especially : a common omnivorous largely nocturnal mammal (Didelphis virginiana) of North America that has grayish to blackish fur with white on the cheeks and is an expert climber2: any of several Australian phalangers

[opossum illustration]