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invertebracy

 - 4 dictionary results

in⋅ver⋅te⋅brate

  [in-vur-tuh-brit, -breyt]
Use invertebracy in a Sentence
–adjective
1. Zoology.
a. not vertebrate; without a backbone.
b. of or pertaining to creatures without a backbone.
2. without strength of character.
–noun
3. an invertebrate animal.
4. a person who lacks strength of character.
Origin:
1820–30; < NL invertebrātus. See in- 3 , vertebrate

Related forms:
in⋅ver⋅te⋅bra⋅cy  [in-vur-tuh-bruh-see] , in⋅ver⋅te⋅brate⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

invertebrate  (n.)
1826, coined from L. in- "not" + vertebra "joint." Invertebrata as a biological classification was coined 1805 by Cuvier.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2invertebrate
Function: adjective
: lacking a spinal column; also : of or relating to invertebrate animals
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

invertebrate in·ver·te·brate (ĭn-vûr'tə-brĭt, -brāt')
adj.

  1. Lacking a backbone or spinal column; not vertebrate.

  2. Of or relating to invertebrates.

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

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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