Definition of possum

The word "possum" is an Australian loanword that entered the English language in the 18th century. In Australia, the word originally referred to the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), a marsupial species that is indigenous to the continent. The origin of the word "possum" is believed to have come from the Aboriginal Australian language. The term "brush-posedh" was used by the Gidabal people in the south-east region of Queensland to describe the possum's tendency to cling to trees while curling up into a compact ball, resembling a brush competed with twigs. The term "possum" was eventually adopted by European settlers in Australia as they struggled to learn new terminology for the various unfamiliar animals they encountered. The word "possum" likely entered the English language through the process of anglicization, which involved modifying Australian Aboriginal words for European usage. In the United States, the word "possum" is primarily used to describe the North American opossum (Didelphis virginiana), which is commonly found in the southeastern part of the country. The origin of the word "opossum" is derived from the Old English word "apseow," meaning "white dog," due to the opossum's longitudinal stripes which resemble the coloring of a puppy. In summary, the origin of "possum" in the English language can be traced back to its use by Aboriginal Australians to describe a specific marsupial species found in their country. The word was adopted by European settlers and anglicized, eventually becoming widely used in both Australian and American English for different species of possums.