common opossum

5.5

A medium-sized mammal from the Americas that carries its young in a pouch and plays dead when threatened

noun
/ˈkɑːmən əˈpɑːsəm/

: zarigüeya común

When threatened, a common opossum can feign death as a defense mechanism.

Examples

The common opossum is often seen foraging at night near rural homes.
Some communities in the South use common opossum as a traditional source of meat.
The common opossum is often seen in urban areas.
Have you ever seen a common opossum in the wild?
Some communities in the South use common opossum as a traditional source of meat.
The common opossum is often seen foraging at night near rural homes.
When threatened, a common opossum can feign death as a defense mechanism.

Synonyms

Didelphis marsupialis

vscommon opossum

Specialized

9.9

A small animal called an opossum that eats many kinds of food and often plays dead when scared

is the everyday name used by people rather than the formal Latin term

Surface Forms

common opossum singular

common opossums plural

Morphology

common + opossum

The meaning is directly compositional: 'common' (typical, frequently occurring) modifies 'opossum' (the marsupial), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a frequently occurring/species-type opossum. This adjective+noun pattern is a standard, cross-linguistically common construction and therefore readily understandable from the parts.

Etymology

Common opossum is the name for the widespread opossum found in many areas. People remember the name because the opossum often 'plays dead' when it is scared, and 'common' shows it is the usual, or most seen, species.