opossum

views updated May 17 2018

o·pos·sum / (ə)ˈpäsəm/ • n. an American marsupial (family Didelphidae) that has a ratlike prehensile tail and hind feet with opposable thumbs. Its numerous species include the cat-sized common opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) of North, Central, and South America, which in North America was formerly known as the Virginia opossum and was considered a distinct species (D. virginiana).

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

opossum

views updated Jun 27 2018

opossum (possum) New World marsupial animal. The only marsupial found outside Australasia. Omnivorous tree-dwellers, they have silky grey fur, and feign death when in danger. The common opossum, Didelphis marsupialis, grows up to 50cm (20in) long, plus a 30cm (12in) tail. Family Didelphidae.

World Encyclopedia

opossum

views updated May 23 2018

opossum
1. See DIDELPHOIDEA.

2. (possum) See PHALANGERIDAE.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

Didelphidae

views updated May 29 2018

Didelphidae See DIDELPHOIDEA.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

opossum

views updated May 21 2018

opossum XVII. of Algonquian orig.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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Opossums

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