possum

[ pos-uhm ]

noun

1. opossum.
2. Australian. any of various phalangers, especially of the genus Trichosurus.

possum

/ ˈpɒsəm /

noun

1. an informal name for opossum
2. Also calledphalanger any of various Australasian arboreal marsupials, such as Trichosurus vulpecula ( brush-tailed phalanger ), having dense fur and a long tail: family Phalangeridae
3. play possum
   to pretend to be dead, ignorant, asleep, etc, in order to deceive an opponent

Word History and Origins

Origin of possum¹

1605–15, Americanism; short for opossum

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. play possum, Informal.
   1. to feign sleep or death.
   2. to dissemble or pretend ignorance:

      The baseball broke the window, but the children played possum when asked who had thrown it.

More idioms and phrases containing possum

see play possum .

Example Sentences

Two hours east of Dallas, sun-drenched granite cliffs loom high above the cloudy waters of Possum Kingdom Lake.

From The Daily Beast

He was also called “Possum,” because he looked like one, especially when he grinned.

From The Daily Beast

Congress has been a dull place since he and his possum-shaped wig left for federal prison.

From The Daily Beast

Why not, he asked himself, "play possum" with the man and the dog, and pretend to be badly hurt and unconscious?

From Project Gutenberg

It's more of a coma, something like the hibernation of a bear or a possum.

From Project Gutenberg

Bruno, satis admirari non possum quid agas vt tot pecunias consumas.

From Project Gutenberg

Davey slept peacefully on the bed among the grey 'possum furs she had wrapped round him.

From Project Gutenberg

"Showing him the ring-tail 'possum's nest in the tree at the back of the cow-yard," she said eagerly.

From Project Gutenberg