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
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
31 March 2025
IMPROVISED
(adjective) done or made using whatever is available; “crossed the river on improvised bridges”; “the survivors used jury-rigged fishing gear”; “the rock served as a makeshift hammer”
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