Opossum
Pronunciation : O*pos"sum
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [Of N. American Indian origin.] (Zo?l.)
Definition : Defn: Any American marsupial of the genera Didelphys and Chironectes. The common species of the United States is Didelphys Virginiana.
Note: 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. (Zo?l.) See Flying mouse, under Flying. -- Opossum shrimp (Zo?l.), any schizopod crustacean of the genus Mysis and allied genera. See Schizopoda.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913