GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions

1.       
   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.
   
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   ☞ 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.
   
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   Opossum mouse. (Zool.) See Flying mouse, under Flying. -- Opossum shrimp (Zool.), any schizopod crustacean of the genus Mysis and allied genera. See Schizopoda.
   
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2.       
   Possum (?), n. [Shortened from opossum.] (Zool.) An opossum. [Colloq. U. S.]
   
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   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.
   
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