Definition of marsupium

< marsupial

mart >

mar·su·pi·um    (mär-sp-m) KEY 

NOUN:
pl. mar·su·pi·a  (-p-) KEY 

1. An external pouch or fold on the abdomen of most female marsupials, containing the mammary glands and in which the young continue to develop after leaving the uterus.
2. A temporary egg pouch in various fishes and crustaceans.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin marspium, pouch, from Latin marspium, marsuppium, from Greek marsippion, marsuppion, diminutive of marsippos, marsuppos, purse, perhaps of Iranian origin; akin to Avestan mars-, belly, paunch