invertebrate

[in-vur-tuh-brit, -breyt]

adjective

1. Zoology.

   1. not vertebrate; without a backbone.

   2. of or relating to creatures without a backbone.

2. without strength of character.

noun

1. an invertebrate animal.

2. a person who lacks strength of character.

invertebrate

/ -ˌbreɪt, ɪnˈvɜːtɪbrɪt /

noun

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

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating invertebrates

invertebrate

1. Having no backbone or spinal column.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of invertebrate¹

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

Example Sentences

A comparable adaptation has been observed only in a few invertebrates, such as the stalk-eyed fly.

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To overcome this bottleneck, researchers launched Ocean Species Discoveries, a data-rich publication platform designed for concise, high-quality marine invertebrate species descriptions.

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Typically, a spooked tarantula will try to run and hide, said Lisa Gonzalez, program manager of invertebrate living collections at the county Natural History Museum.

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They "play a central role in the food web, consuming fish and invertebrates and recycling nutrients" and are one of the "keystone species" of their ecosystem.

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"It clogs up all that invertebrate life on the bed of the river and it means the fish are not getting the food they require."

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Related Words

• beast 
• creature 
• pet