[ɪnˈvəːtɪbrət], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an animal lacking a backbone, such as an arthropod, mollusc, annelid, coelenterate, etc. The invertebrates constitute an artificial division of the animal kingdom, comprising 95 per cent of animal species and about thirty different phyla


Phrases:

Origin:
early 19th century (as a noun): from modern Latin invertebrata (plural) ‘the invertebrates’ (former taxonomic group), from French invertébrés, from in- ‘without’ + Latin vertebra (see vertebra)

[ɪnˈvəːtɪbrət], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- denoting an invertebrate or relating to the invertebrates as a group

- irresolute; spineless
(e.g: so invertebrate is today's Congress regarding foreign policy responsibilities)


Phrases:

Origin:
early 19th century (as a noun): from modern Latin invertebrata (plural) ‘the invertebrates’ (former taxonomic group), from French invertébrés, from in- ‘without’ + Latin vertebra (see vertebra)