O*pos"sum (?), n. [Of N. American Indian origin.]
(Zoöl.)
Any American marsupial of the genera Didelphys and
Chironectes. The common
species of the United States is Didelphys
Virginiana.
&fist; 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.
(Zoöl.) See Flying mouse, under Flying. --
Opossum shrimp
(Zoöl.), any schizopod crustacean of the genus
Mysis and allied genera. See Schizopoda.
Hear it pronounced