cuscus

/ˈkʌs.kəs/

KɅS · kəs (2 syllables)

English Noun

Definition

Any arboreal marsupial of genera Ailurops, Phalanger, Spilocuscus, and Strigocuscus, all in the family Phalangeridae, native to Australia.

Etymology

From New Latin Cuscus, former genus name, ultimately (probably via French and Dutch koeskoes) from a local word for the marsupials in a language of the Moluccas.