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marsupial

Pronunciation: /mɑːˈsuːpɪəl/

Zoology
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Definition of marsupial

noun

  • a mammal of an order whose members are born incompletely developed and are typically carried and suckled in a pouch on the mother’s belly. Marsupials are found chiefly in Australia and New Guinea, and also in America.
    • Order Marsupialia and infraclass Metatheria, subclass Theria

adjective

  • relating to the marsupials.

Origin:

late 17th century (in the sense 'resembling a pouch'): from modern Latin marsupialis, via Latin from Greek marsupion 'pouch' (see marsupium)

marsupial in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of marsupial in the US English dictionary