[ver.te.brate] adj [NL vertebratus, fr. L, jointed, fr. vertebra] (1826) 1 a: having a spinal column b: of or relating to the vertebrates
2: organized or constructed in orderly or developed form
[2]vertebrate n [NL Vertebrata, fr. neut. pl. of vertebratus] (1826): any of a subphylum (Vertebrata) of chordates that possess a spinal column including the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes