cuscus

British  

/ ˈkʌskʌs /

noun

1. any of several large nocturnal phalangers of the genus Phalanger, of N Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands, having dense fur, prehensile tails, large eyes, and a yellow nose

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Etymology

Origin of cuscus

C17: New Latin, probably from a native name in New Guinea

Example Sentences

The cuscus hangs on by its fingertips—or its curling, prehensile tail.

From Economist • Apr. 19, 2018

Especially as Christmas and Easter approach, other specimens find their way to the market, including crested macaques and a tree-dwelling marsupial, the adorable Sulawesi bear cuscus.

From Economist • Apr. 19, 2018

The South Pacific voyage of the northern common cuscus was likely involuntary, and likely ended—unhappily for the cuscus—in a cooking fire.

From The New Yorker • Jun. 6, 2016

Chrissy grabbed a table by the spotted cuscus, and we discussed the overnight-at-the-museum experience.

From Washington Post • Jan. 26, 2016

We saw numerous pigeons also, and a curious animal called the cuscus, something like an opossum, with a long tail, small head, large eyes, and a dense covering of woolly fur.

From The Mate of the Lily Notes from Harry Musgrave's Log Book by Unknown