invertebrate Hear it!

invertebrate definition

in·ver·te·brate (in vʉr′tə brit, -brāt′)

adjective

  1. not vertebrate; having no backbone, or spinal column
  2. of invertebrates
  3. having no moral backbone; lacking courage, resolution, etc.

Etymology: ModL invertebratus

noun

any animal without a backbone, or spinal column; any animal other than a fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, or mammal

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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