vertebrate Hear it!

vertebrate definition

ver·te·brate (vʉr′tə brit, -brāt′)

adjective

  1. having a backbone, or spinal column
  2. of or belonging to the vertebrates

Etymology: L vertebratus < vertebra: see vertebra

noun

any of a large subphylum (Vertebrata) of chordate animals, including all mammals, fishes, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, characterized by a brain enclosed in a brainpan and a segmented spinal column

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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