phalanger

[ fuh-lan-jer ]

noun

1. any of numerous arboreal marsupials of the family Phalangeridae, of Australia, having foxlike ears and a long, bushy tail.

phalanger

/ fəˈlændʒə /

noun

1. 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 History and Origins

Origin of phalanger¹

First recorded in 1765–75; from French (Buffon) or from New Latin (1780), from Greek phalang-, stem of phálanx + New Latin -er, of unclear origin; the name refers to the syndactylous 2nd and 3rd digits of the hind feet; phalanx

Word History and Origins

Origin of phalanger¹

C18: via New Latin from Greek phalaggion spider's web, referring to its webbed hind toes

Example Sentences

The vulpine phalanger does duty for a fox; the fat and sleepy little dormouse phalanger takes the place of a European dormouse.

From Project Gutenberg

At Rawak the phalanger and the sheepdog in a wild state were the only quadrupeds met with.

From Project Gutenberg

This view is in apparent contradiction to an interesting discovery in a specimen of a Phalanger by Dr. Klaatsch.

From Project Gutenberg

The lower jaw has quite the appearance of that of a Macropus or Phalanger, with long and forwardly projecting incisors.

From Project Gutenberg

The animal, as was pointed out by Dr. Gray, looks very much like a Phalanger.

From Project Gutenberg