Opossum n. (Zool.) Any American marsupial of the genera Didelphys and Chironectes; called also possum. The common species of the United States is Didelphys Virginiana. Note: Several related species are found in South America. The water opossum of Brazil (Chironectes variegatus), which has the hind feet, webbed, is provided with a marsupial pouch and with cheek pouches. It is called also yapock.
Opossum mouse. (Zool.) See Flying mouse, under Flying.
Opossum shrimp (Zool.), any schizopod crustacean of the genus Mysis and allied genera. See Schizopoda.
Shrimp n.
1.
(Zool.)
(a)
Any one of numerous species of macruran Crustacea belonging to Crangon and various allied genera, having a slender body and long legs. Many of them are used as food. The larger kinds are called also prawns.
(b)
In a more general sense, any species of the macruran tribe Caridea, or any species of the order Schizopoda, having a similar form.
(c)
In a loose sense, any small crustacean, including some amphipods and even certain entomostracans; as, the fairy shrimp, and brine shrimp. See under Fairy, and Brine.
2.
Figuratively, a little wrinkled man; a dwarf; in contempt. "This weak and writhled shrimp."
