/ɪn'vɜ:tɪbreɪt; ɪn`vɝtəbrət/ n, adj (animal) not having a backbone or spinal column 无脊椎的(动物) *Molluscs, insects and worms are all invertebrates. 软体动物、昆虫、蠕虫都是无脊椎动物.
invertebrate
n[C] a living creature that does not have a backbone →vertebrate >invertebrateadj