Invertebrate: meaning, definitions and examples
🐌
invertebrate
[ ɪnˈvɜrtɪbrət ]
animal
An animal lacking a backbone, such as an insect, worm, or mollusk.
Synonyms
animal without a backbone, non-vertebrate
Examples of usage
- Many invertebrates, such as spiders and snails, play important roles in ecosystems.
- Invertebrates make up the majority of animal species on Earth.
biology
Of, relating to, or characteristic of animals lacking a backbone.
Synonyms
non-vertebrate, without a backbone
Examples of usage
- The invertebrate species exhibit a wide range of adaptations to their environments.
- Invertebrate biology is a fascinating field of study.
Translations
Translations of the word "invertebrate" in other languages:
🇵🇹 invertebrado
🇮🇳 अकशेरुकीय
🇩🇪 Wirbellose
🇮🇩 invertebrata
🇺🇦 безхребетний
🇵🇱 bezkręgowiec
🇯🇵 無脊椎動物 (musekitsui dōbutsu)
🇫🇷 invertébré
🇪🇸 invertebrado
🇹🇷 omurgasız
🇰🇷 무척추동물 (mucheokchudongmul)
🇸🇦 لافقاري (lafaqari)
🇨🇿 bezobratlý
🇸🇰 bezstavovec
🇨🇳 无脊椎动物 (wú jǐzhuī dòngwù)
🇸🇮 nevretenčar
🇮🇸 hryggleysingjar
🇰🇿 омыртқасыз
🇬🇪 უხერხემლო (ukherkhemlo)
🇦🇿 onurğasız
🇲🇽 invertebrado
Word origin
The term 'invertebrate' was coined in the early 19th century to describe animals that do not have a backbone. It is derived from the Latin words 'in-' (meaning 'not') and 'vertebra' (meaning 'joint' or 'segment of the spine'). Invertebrates make up the vast majority of animal species on Earth, with diverse forms ranging from insects to jellyfish. Studying invertebrates is crucial for understanding biodiversity and ecological relationships in various ecosystems.