noun / adjective
vertebrate
VER-tih-brut/vˈɝtʌbrˌeɪt/
An animal with a backbone, or having a backbone.
The exposed backbone shows that the fish is a vertebrate.
Etymology
The pieces describe something provided with joints: Latin vertebratus meant “jointed” or “articulated.” The animal name applies this specifically to the linked spinal bones that form a backbone.
In context
so what makes an animal a vertebrate let's find out
More examples
- Snakes are vertebrates even though they have no legs.
- The students compare vertebrate skeletons in biology class.
- A butterfly is not a vertebrate because it has no backbone.
Forms
vertebrate · vertebrates
vertebra noun — One of the bones forming the backbone.
vertebral adjective — Relating to the bones of the spine.