invertebrate
Etymology

From in- + vertebrate.

Pronunciation
  • IPA: /ɪnˈvəːtɪbrət/
Noun

invertebrate (plural invertebrates)

  1. An animal without vertebrae, i.e. backbone.
  2. (informal) A spineless person; a coward.
Antonyms Translations Adjective

invertebrate (not comparable)

  1. Lacking a backbone; without vertebrae.
    • 1860, Recreative Science, page 110:
      Tear it up, and put a fragment under the microscope, and, wonder of wonders! see the maze of geometric forms exhibited in the bones of the creature; for who can help regarding the spicules as bones, even though a sponge be invertebrate?
  2. Cowardly, uncourageous; lacking character.
    Synonyms: spineless
Antonyms Translations


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