1.
vertebrate; animal with a backbone
An animal that has a backbone, or spinal column. The group includes fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
魚は脊椎動物だ。
Fish are vertebrates.
脊椎動物には背骨がある。
Vertebrates have a backbone.
鳥や哺乳類はすべて脊椎動物に分類される。
Birds and mammals are all classified as vertebrates.
Composed of 脊椎 (spine, vertebrae) + 動物 (animal). A biology term for animals that have an internal backbone.
RELATED TERMS:
- 無脊椎動物: invertebrate — animals without a backbone, such as insects and shellfish; the direct antonym
- 背骨: backbone; spine
- 哺乳類: mammals — one group of vertebrates