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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.

Definition 2024


Opossum

Opossum

See also: opossum

German

Noun

Opossum n (genitive Opossums, plural Opossums)

  1. opossum

Synonyms

opossum

opossum

See also: Opossum

English

An opossum.

Noun

opossum (plural opossums)

  1. Any American marsupial of the family Didelphidae. The common species of the United States is Didelphis virginiana.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

References

  • opossum in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913

Dutch

Pronunciation

Noun

opossum ? (plural opossums, diminutive opossumpje n)

  1. opossum

French

Noun

opossum m (plural opossums)

  1. opossum