n. & adj.
n. any mammal of the order Marsupialia, characterized by being born incompletely developed and usu. carried and suckled in a pouch on the mother's belly.
adj. 1 of or belonging to this order. 2 of or like a pouch (marsupial muscle).
[ mod.L marsupialis f. L marsupium f. Gk marsupion pouch, dimin. of marsipos purse ]