invertebrate

American  

[in-vur-tuh-brit, -breyt] / ɪnˈvɜr tə brɪt, -ˌbreɪt /

adjective

1. Zoology.

   1. not vertebrate; without a backbone.

   2. of or relating to creatures without a backbone.

2. without strength of character.

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noun

1. an invertebrate animal.

2. a person who lacks strength of character.

invertebrate British  

/ -ˌbreɪt, ɪnˈvɜːtɪbrɪt /

noun

1. any animal lacking a backbone, including all species not classified as vertebrates

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating invertebrates

invertebrate Scientific  

/ ĭn-vûr′tə-brĭt,-brāt′ /

1. Having no backbone or spinal column.

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1. An animal that has no backbone or spinal column and therefore does not belong to the subphylum Vertebrata of the phylum Chordata. Most animals are invertebrates. Corals, insects, worms, jellyfish, starfish, and snails are invertebrates.

Other Word Forms

• invertebracy noun
• invertebrateness noun

Etymology

Origin of invertebrate

From the New Latin word invertebrātus, dating back to 1820–30. See in- ³, vertebrate

Example Sentences

Yet “there are plenty of extremely good invertebrate eyes,” Johnsen says.

From Science Magazine

As the diversity or abundance of invertebrates change after dam removal, so might their predators.

From Salon

Researchers analyzed more than a decade’s worth of population data on more than 1000 species of fish, seaweeds, and invertebrates.

From Science Magazine

Otters are especially susceptible to Toxoplasma infection, researchers said, because they find food along the shoreline and could be exposed to the parasite’s eggs in rainwater runoff as they feed on marine invertebrates.

From Los Angeles Times

Numerous laboratory studies, some dating back a decade, have demonstrated chronic effects on invertebrates, mammals, birds and fish from ingesting plastic.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• beast
• creature
• pet