O*pos"sum (?), n. [Of N. American Indian origin.] Zool.
Any American marsupial of the genera Didelphys and Chironectes. The common species of the United States is Didelphys Virginiana.
<-- called also possum -->
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.
Opossum mouse. Zool. See Flying mouse, under Flying. -- Opossum shrimp Zool., any schizopod crustacean of the genus Mysis and allied genera. See Schizopoda.
© Webster 1913.