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 ]