invertebrate
Animal without spine
An invertebrate is an animal without a backbone—insects, worms, mollusks, crustaceans, jellyfish, and countless others.
Invertebrates make up the vast majority of animal species.
The word also works as an adjective: invertebrate animals.
Figuratively, calling someone invertebrate suggests they lack spine in the metaphorical sense—courage or resolve.
Jointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- molluskSoft-bodied invertebrate, often shelled
- crustaceanAquatic arthropod with exoskeleton
- annelidSegmented worm phylum member
- cnidarianStinging aquatic invertebrate
echinoderm · jellyfish · octopus · squid · worm · coral · starfish · urchin
Science of categorical arrangement
- entomologyStudy of insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- segmentationDivision into sections
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
larvae · chitin · ganglia · thorax · abdomen · antenna · mandible · spiracle
Drifting marine stinger
- octopusEight-limbed sea mollusk
- squidTen-armed marine mollusk
- slugNaked terrestrial mollusk
- sea cucumberElongated marine echinoderm
anemone · cuttlefish · nudibranch · leech · flatworm · hydra · medusa · polyp
Without bravery or nerve
- gutlessLacking bravery or nerve
- weakLacking power or force
- timidLacking courage or confidence
- meekHumbly unassertive
craven · pusillanimous · faint-hearted · lily-livered · yellow-bellied · wishy-washy · spineless · backbone
arthropod
Jointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- molluskSoft-bodied invertebrate, often shelled
- crustaceanAquatic arthropod with exoskeleton
- annelidSegmented worm phylum member
cnidarian · echinoderm · jellyfish · octopus · squid · worm · coral · starfish · urchin · shrimp
taxonomy
Science of categorical arrangement
- entomologyStudy of insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- segmentationDivision into sections
metamorphosis · larvae · chitin · ganglia · thorax · abdomen · antenna · mandible · spiracle · molt
jellyfish
Drifting marine stinger
sea cucumber · anemone · cuttlefish · nudibranch · leech · flatworm · hydra · medusa · polyp · tapeworm
cowardly
Without bravery or nerve
meek · craven · pusillanimous · faint-hearted · lily-livered · yellow-bellied · wishy-washy · spineless · backbone · weak-willed
- zoologymammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects
- biologycells, DNA, cell, biology, gene
- life formsorganisms, organism, lifeforms, animal, creatures
- living thingsplants, animals, animal, creature, birds
- biology termscell, DNA, genetics, genetic, evolution
- invertebratesarthropod, arthropods, mollusk, crustacean, arachnids
invertebratevertebrate
Spinal column animal
backboned · vertebrated · spined · mammal · fish
invertebrateresolute
Fixed in purpose
stalwart · principled · courageous · strong-willed · firm
- marine invertebrateBoneless sea animal