| Opossum | n. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]
Opossum mouse. (Zool.) See Flying mouse, under Flying. --
Opossum shrimp (Zool.), any schizopod crustacean of the genus Mysis and allied genera. See Schizopoda. [ 1913 Webster ]
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| Possum | n. [ Shortened from opossum. ] (Zool.) An opossum. [ Colloq. U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
To play possum,
To act possum, to feign ignorance, indifference or inattention, with the intent to deceive; to dissemble; -- in allusion to the habit of the opossum, which feigns death when attacked or alarmed. [ 1913 Webster ]
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| Water opossum | (Zool.) See Yapock, and the Note under Opossum. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| common opossum | (n) omnivorous opossum of the eastern United States; noted for feigning death when in danger; esteemed as food in some areas; considered same species as the crab-eating opossum of South America, Syn. Didelphis virginiana, Didelphis marsupialis |
| crab-eating opossum | (n) South American opossum |
| opossum | (n) nocturnal arboreal marsupial having a naked prehensile tail found from southern North America to northern South America, Syn. possum |
| opossum rat | (n) terrestrial marsupials of southern South America that resemble shrews |
| opossum shrimp | (n) shrimp-like crustaceans whose females carry eggs and young in a pouch between the legs |
| play possum | (v) to pretend to be dead |
| american persimmon | (n) medium-sized tree of dry woodlands in the southern and eastern United States bearing yellow or orange very astringent fruit that is edible when fully ripe, Syn. possumwood, Diospyros virginiana |
| bearberry | (n) deciduous shrub of southeastern and central United States, Syn. winterberry, Ilex decidua, possum haw |
| flying phalanger | (n) nocturnal phalangers that move with gliding leaps using parachute-like folds of skin along the sides of the body, Syn. flying opossum, flying squirrel |
| phalanger | (n) small furry Australian arboreal marsupials having long usually prehensile tails, Syn. opossum, possum |
| silver-bell tree | (n) medium-sized tree of West Virginia to Florida and Texas, Syn. opossum wood, Halesia tetraptera, snowdrop tree, silverbell tree, Halesia carolina |
| water oak | (n) relatively tall deciduous water oak of southeastern United States often cultivated as a shade tree; thrives in wet soil, Syn. possum oak, Quercus nigra |
