What is "opossum shrimp"

Shrimp \Shrimp\, n. [OE. shrimp; -- probably so named from its shriveled appearance. See Shrimp, v.]

1. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. 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.

   2. In a more general sense, any species of the macruran tribe Caridea, or any species of the order Schizopoda, having a similar form.

   3. 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.

2. Figuratively, a little wrinkled man; a dwarf; -- in contempt.

   This weak and writhled shrimp.
   --Shak.

   Opossum shrimp. (Zo["o]l.) See under Opossum.

   Spector shrimp, or Skeleton shrimp (Zo["o]l.), any slender amphipod crustacean of the genus Caprella and allied genera. See Illust. under L[ae]modopoda.

   Shrimp catcher (Zo["o]l.), the little tern ( Sterna minuta).

   Shrimp net, a dredge net fixed upon a pole, or a sweep net dragged over the fishing ground.

Opossum \O*pos"sum\, n. [Of N. American Indian origin.] (Zo["o]l.) Any American marsupial of the genera Didelphys and Chironectes; called also possum. The common species of the United States is Didelphys Virginiana.

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.

Opossum mouse. (Zo["o]l.) See Flying mouse, under Flying.

Opossum shrimp (Zo["o]l.), any schizopod crustacean of the genus Mysis and allied genera. See Schizopoda.

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