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 climber
2 : any of several Australian phalangers

[opossum illustration]