opossum shrimp

opossum shrimp
    n 1: shrimp-like crustaceans whose females carry eggs and young
         in a pouch between the legs
    

Shrimp \Shrimp\, n. [OE. shrimp; -- probably so named from its
   shriveled appearance. See {Shrimp}, v.]
   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}. See Illust. of {Decapoda}.
      (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}.
          [1913 Webster]

   2. Figuratively, a little wrinkled man; a dwarf; -- in
      contempt.
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            This weak and writhled shrimp.        --Shak.
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   {Opossum shrimp}. (Zool.) See under {Opossum}.

   {Spector shrimp}, or {Skeleton shrimp} (Zool.), any slender
      amphipod crustacean of the genus {Caprella} and allied
      genera. See Illust. under {Laemodopoda}.

   {Shrimp catcher} (Zool.), the little tern ({Sterna minuta}).
      

   {Shrimp net}, a dredge net fixed upon a pole, or a sweep net
      dragged over the fishing ground.
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Opossum \O*pos"sum\, n. [Of N. American Indian origin.] (Zool.)
   Any American marsupial of the genera {Didelphys} and
   {Chironectes}; called also {possum}. The common species of
   the United States is {Didelphys Virginiana}.
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   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}.
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   {Opossum mouse}. (Zool.) See {Flying mouse}, under {Flying}.
      

   {Opossum shrimp} (Zool.), any schizopod crustacean of the
      genus {Mysis} and allied genera. See {Schizopoda}.
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