noun / adjective
marsupial
mar-SOO-pee-uhl/mɑrsˈupiʌl/
A mammal whose young typically develop in a pouch.
This kangaroo is a marsupial with a joey in her pouch.
Etymology
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.
In context
while all marsupials give birth to undeveloped young ones only some marsupials have pouch marsupials like wombat kangaroo have pouch while short-tailed opossum which is also a marsupial does not have poach
More examples
- An opossum is a marsupial, not a rodent.
- Koalas and wombats are marsupials.
- Many marsupial mothers carry their young in pouches.
Forms
marsupial · marsupials