POSSUM

opossum, possum

(noun) nocturnal arboreal marsupial having a naked prehensile tail found from southern North America to northern South America

phalanger, opossum, possum

(noun) small furry Australian arboreal marsupials having long usually prehensile tails

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

possum (plural possums)

(US) An opossum, a marsupial of the family Didelphidae of the Americas.

Any of the marsupials in several families of the order Diprotodontia of Australia and neighboring islands.

Source: Wiktionary

Pos"sum, n. Etym: [Shortened from opossum.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: An opossum. [Colloq. U. S.] 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition