any of various Australasian arboreal marsupials, such as Trichosurus vulpecula (brush-tailed phalanger), having dense fur and a long tail: family Phalangeridae
Also called (Austral. and NZ): possum. See also flying phalanger
Word origin
C18: via New Latin from Greek phalaggion spider's web, referring to its webbed hind toes
phalanger in American English
(fəˈlændʒər)
noun
a member of any of various families of small, plant-eating Australian marsupials(order Diprotodontia), living chiefly in trees and often having bushy, prehensile tails, including flying phalangers and cuscuses
Word origin
ModL < Gr phalanx, bone between two joints of the fingers or toes (see phalanx): from the structure of the 2d and 3d phalanges of the hind feet