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

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

From Salon

The scientists, she said, would be collecting various samples including invertebrates, sediment and water.

From BBC

Algae, sponges and other invertebrates are all proliferating in the reserves, and commercial fish species like groupers have three times the biomass of those in unprotected waters.

From Seattle Times

The more insects and other invertebrates that Eiseman sees engaging with plants, the happier he is.

From Seattle Times

“I got her out!” announced Terri Bauer, a social worker and volunteer at Butterfly Pavilion, a zoo for invertebrates and research center outside Denver.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beast
• creature
• pet