vertebrate
1. ver.te.brate \'v*rt-*-br*t, -.bra-t\ aj [NL vertebratus, fr. L, jointed,
fr. vertebra] 1a: having a spinal column 1b: of or relating to the
vertebrates 2: having a strong framework suggesting vertebrae 3:
organized or constructed in orderly or developed form {a ~ piec e of
composition}
2. vertebrate n [deriv. of NL vertebratus] : any of a comprehensive
division (Vertebrata) usu. held to be a subphylum of chordates comprising
animals with a segmented spinal column together with a few primitive forms
in which the backbone is represented by a notochord