invertebrate

[ in-vur-tuh-brit, -breyt ]
/ ɪnˈvɜr tə brɪt, -ˌbreɪt /

adjective

Zoology.
  1. not vertebrate; without a backbone.
  2. of or relating to creatures without a backbone.
without strength of character.

noun

an invertebrate animal.
a person who lacks strength of character.

Origin of invertebrate

From the New Latin word invertebrātus, dating back to 1820–30. See in-3, vertebrate

OTHER WORDS FROM invertebrate

in·ver·te·bra·cy [in-vur-tuh-bruh-see] /ɪnˈvɜr tə brə si/, in·ver·te·brate·ness, noun

Example sentences from the Web for invertebrates

British Dictionary definitions for invertebrates

invertebrate
/ (ɪnˈvɜːtɪbrɪt, -ˌbreɪt) /

noun

any animal lacking a backbone, including all species not classified as vertebrates

adjective Also: in'vertebral

of, relating to, or designating invertebrates

Medical definitions for invertebrates

invertebrate
[ ĭn-vûrtə-brĭt, -brāt′ ]

adj.

Lacking a backbone or spinal column; not vertebrate.
Of or relating to invertebrates.

n.

An animal, such as an insect or a mollusk, that lacks a backbone or spinal column.

Scientific definitions for invertebrates

invertebrate
[ ĭn-vûrtə-brĭt, -brāt′ ]

Adjective

Having no backbone or spinal column.

Noun

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.

Cultural definitions for invertebrates

invertebrates
[ (in-vur-tuh-bruhts, in-vur-tuh-brayts) ]

Animals without backbones. (Compare vertebrates.)