Definition

Noun: * A specific species of marsupial: The "common opossum" refers to the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), a nocturnal, omnivorous mammal native to the eastern United States. It is known for its distinctive behavior of feigning death ("playing possum") when threatened and is sometimes hunted for food.

Usage

The term "common opossum" is used specifically to identify this particular species, distinguishing it from other types of opossums found in the Americas. * The common opossum is the only marsupial found north of Mexico. * We saw a common opossum rummaging through the garbage cans last night.

Advanced Usage

• In scientific/biological contexts: The term is used precisely to refer to . Its inclusion in the species name clarifies its classification.
  • The study focused on the habitat range of Didelphis virginiana, the common opossum.

Variants and Related Words

• Virginia opossum: The full, more precise common name for the same animal.
• Possum: A common informal shortening of "opossum," though in other regions like Australia and New Zealand, "possum" refers to entirely different marsupials.
• Playing possum: An idiom derived from this animal's behavior, meaning to pretend to be dead or unconscious to avoid trouble.

Synonyms

• Virginia opossum (scientific/common name synonym)

Related Idioms

• To play possum: To deceive someone by pretending to be asleep, dead, or unaware.
  • When asked about the broken vase, the child decided to play possum and pretended to be asleep.

Noun

1. omnivorous opossum of the eastern United States; noted for feigning death when in danger; esteemed as food in some areas; considered same species as the crab-eating opossum of South America