Opossum

Pronunciation: /əˈpɑsəm/

Definitions of opossum

noun A small to medium-sized marsupial native to the Americas, known for its rat-like appearance and prehensile tail.

Example Sentences

A1 The opossum is a small marsupial that is native to North and South America.

A2 Opossums are known for their ability to play dead when threatened by predators.

B1 Some people mistakenly believe that opossums are rodents, but they are actually marsupials.

B2 Opossums have a unique adaptation called 'playing possum' where they feign death to escape danger.

C1 Opossums are opportunistic feeders and will eat a wide variety of foods, including insects, fruits, and even carrion.

C2 The opossum's ability to adapt to different environments has contributed to its success as a species over millions of years.

Examples of opossum in a Sentence

formal The opossum is a marsupial native to North and South America.

informal I saw an opossum rummaging through the trash last night.

slang That opossum is playing dead again.

figurative She played possum like an opossum when confronted with the truth.

Grammatical Forms of opossum

• past tense: opossummed
• plural: opossums
• comparative: more opossum
• superlative: most opossum
• present tense: opossum
• future tense: will opossum
• perfect tense: have opossummed
• continuous tense: am opossuming
• singular: opossum
• positive degree: opossum
• infinitive: to opossum
• gerund: opossuming
• participle: opossummed

Origin and Evolution of opossum

First Known Use: 1610 year

Language of Origin: Algonquian

Story behind the word: The word 'opossum' comes from the Algonquian language, specifically from the Powhatan word 'opassum' meaning 'white animal'.

Evolution of the word: The term 'opossum' was first recorded in English in 1610 by Captain John Smith in his writings about the Virginia colony. Over time, the word has remained relatively unchanged in its spelling and pronunciation, but its usage has expanded to refer to various species of marsupials found in the Americas.