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Invertebrate - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

An invertebrate is an animal without a backbone, such as insects, worms, or jellyfish. They make up most of Earth's animal species and live in diverse habitats.

invertebrate

/ɪnˈvɜːrtəbrət/ /ɪnˈvɜːtɪbrət/

Definition:

An animal lacking a backbone, such as insects, worms, or mollusks.

Synonyms:

spineless creature, boneless animal, arthropod

Part of Speech:

noun, adjective

Antonyms:

vertebrate, chordate

Common Collocations:

marine invertebrates, invertebrate species, invertebrate zoology

Derivatives:

invertebracy, invertebral

Usage Tips:

Use "invertebrate" to describe animals without backbones or metaphorically for weak-willed individuals.

Common Phrases:

spineless as an invertebrate, invertebrate fossils, invertebrate biology

Etymology:

From Latin "in-" (not) + "vertebratus" (jointed), referring to the absence of vertebrae.

Examples:

  • 1. The jellyfish is a common marine invertebrate.
  • 2. Invertebrates like ants and spiders outnumber vertebrates in most ecosystems.
  • 3. She studied invertebrate anatomy in her biology class.
  • 4. The museum has a fascinating exhibit on prehistoric invertebrates.

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