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Webster 1913 Edition

Opossum

O-pos′sum

,
Noun.
[Of N. American Indian origin.]
(Zool.)
Any American marsupial of the genera
Didelphys
and
Chironectes
; called also
possum
. The common species of the United States is
Didelphys Virginiana
.
☞ Several related species are found in South America. The water opossum of Brazil (
Chironectes variegatus
), which has the hind feet, webbed, is provided with a marsupial pouch and with cheek pouches. It is called also
yapock
.
Opossum mouse
.
(Zool.)
See
Flying mouse
, under
Flying
.
–
Opossum shrimp
(Zool.)
,
any schizopod crustacean of the genus
Mysis
and allied genera. See
Schizopoda
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Opossum

OPOS'SUM

,
Noun.
A quadruped of the genus Didelphis. It has a prehensile tail, like some of the monkeys, and is distinguished by a pouch or false belly, in which it protects and carries its young. The name is also given to other species of the genus, some of which want the pouch.

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