opossum
Syllabification: (o·pos·sum)
Pronunciation: /(ə)ˈpäsəm/
Definition of opossum
noun
- an American marsupial that has a ratlike prehensile tail and hind feet with an opposable thumb.
- Family Didelphidae: several genera and numerous species, in particular the cat-sized common opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) of North, Central, and South America, which in North America was formerly known as the Virginia opossum and was considered a distinct species (D. virginiana)
Origin:
early 17th century: from Virginia Algonquian opassom, from op 'white' + assom 'dog'