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