opossum

opos·sum

noun \(ə-)ˈpä-səm\

plural opossums also opossum

Definition of OPOSSUM

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 climber

2

: any of several Australian phalangers

Illustration of OPOSSUM

Origin of OPOSSUM

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

First Known Use: 1610

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

Rhymes with OPOSSUM

play possum