noun / adjective
invertebrate
in-VER-tih-brut/ɪnˈvɜːrtɪbrət/
An animal that has no backbone.
An earthworm is an invertebrate that crawls across moist soil.
Etymology
In- negates vertebratus, built on vertebra, meaning a joint, especially one in the spine. The resulting description, “having no backbone,” became a noun naming an animal so described.
In context
what exactly is an invertebrate well invertebrates are animals in the kingdom Animalia that lack a vertebral column or backbone
More examples
- A snail is an invertebrate, even though it has a shell.
- Many birds feed on insects and other invertebrates.
- The aquarium houses several invertebrate species, including crabs and jellyfish.
Forms
invertebrate · invertebrates
vertebrate noun — An animal that has a backbone.
Similar words
- spineless
- Also means lacking a backbone, but often describes cowardice.