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possum
pos·sum / ˈpäsəm/ • n. 1. inf. an opossum. 2. a tree-dwelling Australasian marsupial (Petauridae and other families) that typically has a prehensile tail. PHRASES: play possum 1. pretend to be asleep or unconscious when threatened (in imitation of an opossum’s behavior). 2. feign ignorance. |
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"possum." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "possum." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-possum.html "possum." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-possum.html |
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Possum
Possum (poss-ŭm) n. a device that enables severely paralysed patients to use typewriters, telephones, and other machines. Modern Possums are operated by micro-switches that require only the slightest movement in any limb. The name derives from Patient-Operated Selector Mechanism (POSM).
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"Possum." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Possum." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-Possum.html "Possum." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-Possum.html |
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possum
possum Aphetic of OPOSSUM; now esp. in colloq. phr. (orig. U.S.) play p. pretend to be disabled, with ref. to the opossum's feigning death when attacked. XVII.
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T. F. HOAD. "possum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "possum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-possum.html T. F. HOAD. "possum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-possum.html |
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possum
possum Popular name for any of the phalangers of Australasia. The term is also a US word for the opossum.
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"possum." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "possum." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-possum.html "possum." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-possum.html |
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possum
possum See PHALANGERIDAE.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "possum." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "possum." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-possum.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "possum." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-possum.html |
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