See Also: possum(medicine)
possum(dictionary)
possum(encyclopedia)
possum(dictionary)
Leadbeater's possum(dictionary)

possum (iou)



possum noun & verb. E17.
[Aphet. from OPOSSUM.]
A. noun.
= OPOSSUM 1. Now colloq. E17.
Any of various small or moderate-sized Australasian marsupials of the families Phalangeridae, Burramyidae, Petauridae, and Tarsipedidae. L18.
brushtail possum, honey possum, Leadbeater's possum, ringtail possum, etc.
A contemptible person; a fool, a simpleton. US & Austral. slang. M19.
Phrases: play possum colloq. (orig. US) pretend unconsciousness or ignorance; feign, dissemble. stir the possum Austral. colloq. stir up controversy, liven things up.
b. verb intrans.
Play possum; feign unconsciousness or ignorance; sham. US colloq. M19.
Hunt opossums. Chiefly as possuming verbal noun. colloq. (chiefly Austral.). M19.