rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: marsuppium
Latin

marsuppium

pouch, purse

1 / 1
An adult female kangaroo standing in side-three-quarter view, with a small joey peeking naturally from her abdominal pouch, clearly illustrating a mammal whose young develop in a pouch.
noun / adjective

marsupial

mar-SOO-pee-uhl/mɑrsˈupiʌl/

A mammal whose young typically develop in a pouch.

Etymology
marsupiLatinpouch, purse
+alLatinof, relating to

The pieces describe an animal as “having a pouch,” referring to the pouch in which its young often develop. Originally an adjective, marsupial became a noun naming the animal.

Full entry

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