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opossum (n.)

nocturnal, omnivorous American marsupial mammal, c. 1600, from Powhatan (Algonquian) opassum, "equivalent to a proto-Algonquian term meaning 'white dog'" [Bright]. The colloquial form is possum (q.v.).

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Definitions of opossum from WordNet

opossum (n.)
nocturnal arboreal marsupial having a naked prehensile tail found from southern North America to northern South America;
Synonyms: possum
opossum (n.)
small furry Australian arboreal marsupials having long usually prehensile tails;
Synonyms: phalanger / possum
From wordnet.princeton.edu