Word Study
vertebrate
CIDE DICTIONARY
vertebrate, n.
One of the Vertebrata. [1913 Webster]
vertebrate, a. [L. vertebratus.].
- Having a backbone, or vertebral column, containing the spinal marrow, as man, quadrupeds, birds, amphibia, and fishes. [1913 Webster]
- Contracted at intervals, so as to resemble the spine in animals. Henslow. [1913 Webster]
- Having movable joints resembling vertebræ; -- said of the arms of ophiurans. [1913 Webster]
- Of or pertaining to the Vertebrata; -- used only in the form vertebrate. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
vertebrate, n. & adj.
--n. any animal of the subphylum Vertebrata, having a spinal column, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes.
--adj. of or relating to the vertebrates.
--n. any animal of the subphylum Vertebrata, having a spinal column, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes.
--adj. of or relating to the vertebrates.
Etymology
L vertebratus jointed (as VERTEBRA)
THESAURUS
vertebrate
amphibian, aquatic, biped, canine, cannibal, carnivore, cetacean, chordate, cosmopolite, feline, gnawer, herbivore, insectivore, invertebrate, mammal, mammalian, marsupial, marsupialian, omnivore, primate, quadruped, reptile, rodent, ruminant, scavenger, ungulate, varmint, verminFor further exploring for "vertebrate" in Webster Dictionary Online