Definitions for invertebrate
ɪnˈvɜr tə brɪt, -ˌbreɪtin·ver·te·brate

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. invertebrateadjective

   any animal lacking a backbone or notochord; the term is not used as a scientific classification

2. invertebrate, spinelessadjective

   lacking a backbone or spinal column

   "worms are an example of invertebrate animals"

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. invertebratenoun

   An animal without vertebrae, i.e. backbone.

2. invertebrateadjective

   Lacking a backbone.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Invertebrate

   Invertebrates are a paraphyletic group of animals that neither possess nor develop a vertebral column (commonly known as a backbone or spine), derived from the notochord. This is a grouping including all animals apart from the chordate subphylum Vertebrata. Familiar examples of invertebrates include arthropods, mollusks, annelids, echinoderms and cnidarians. The majority of animal species are invertebrates; one estimate puts the figure at 97%. Many invertebrate taxa have a greater number and variety of species than the entire subphylum of Vertebrata. Invertebrates vary widely in size, from 50 μm (0.002 in) rotifers to the 9–10 m (30–33 ft) colossal squid.Some so-called invertebrates, such as the Tunicata and Cephalochordata, are more closely related to vertebrates than to other invertebrates. This makes the invertebrates paraphyletic, so the term has little meaning in taxonomy.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Invertebrateadjective

   destitute of a backbone; having no vertebrae; of or pertaining to the Invertebrata

2. Invertebratenoun

   one of the Invertebrata

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Invertebrate

   Invertebrates are animal species that do not develop a vertebral column. This in effect includes all animals apart from the subphylum Vertebrata. Familiar examples of invertebrates include insects, worms, clams, crabs, octopus, snails, and starfish. Taxonomically speaking, "invertebrate" is no more than a term of convenience. The vast majority of animal species are invertebrates, since only about 3% of animal species include a vertebral column in their anatomy. In other words all animals except those in the chordate subphylum Vertebrata are regarded as invertebrates. Furthermore, many individual invertebrate taxons have a greater number and variety of species than the entire subphylum of Vertebrata. In fact some of the so-called invertebrata, such as the Chaetognatha and Hemichordata, are more closely related to the Chordata than to other invertebrate phyla. The division of the entire Kingdom Animalia into vertebrates and invertebrates certainly is convenient in some practical contexts, but to put it into taxonomic perspective, it is roughly on the same scale as dividing the animal kingdom into, for example, gastropods and non-gastropods; worthwhile only in certain constrained contexts.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. invertebrate

   A type of animal.

   Invertebrate include all animals apart from the subphylum Vertebrata. Familiar examples of invertebrates include insects; crabs, lobsters and their kin; snails, clams, octopuses and their kin; starfish, sea-urchins and their kin; jellyfish, and worms.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on March 13, 2020  

How to pronounce invertebrate?

1. Alex

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How to say invertebrate in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of invertebrate in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of invertebrate in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

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