marsupial

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adjective mar·su·pi·al \mär-ˈsü-pē-əl\

Definition of marsupial

1 : of, relating to, or being a marsupial
2 : of, relating to, or forming a marsupium

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Origin and Etymology of marsupial

borrowed from New Latin marsūpiālis — more at ²marsupial

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First Known Use: 1819

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marsupial

noun mar·su·pi·al

Definition of marsupial

: any of an order (Marsupialia) of mammals comprising kangaroos, wombats, bandicoots, opossums, and related animals that do not develop a true placenta and that usually have a pouch on the abdomen of the female which covers the teats and serves to carry the young

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Origin and Etymology of marsupial

from the base of New Latin Marsupialia, order name, from neuter plural of marsūpiālis “of a pouch,” from marsūpium “pouch, marsupium” + -ālis ¹-al

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First Known Use: 1805

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MARSUPIAL Defined for English Language Learners

marsupial

noun

Definition of marsupial for English Language Learners

: a type of animal (such as a kangaroo or an opossum) that carries its babies in a pocket of skin on the mother's stomach

MARSUPIAL Defined for Kids

marsupial

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noun mar·su·pi·al \mär-ˈsü-pē-əl\

Definition of marsupial for Students

: a mammal (as a kangaroo or opossum) that does not develop a true placenta and usually has a pouch on the female's abdomen in which the young develop and are carried