[ad. L. vertebrāt-us (Pliny), jointed, articulated, f. vertebra VERTEBRA. Cf. prec. and INVERTEBRATE.]
A. adj. 1. Zool. Of or belonging to the Vertebrata; characterized by having a backbone or spinal column. Freq. in vertebrate animal.
1826. Kirby & Sp., Entomol., xxviii. III. 42. Size forms a pretty accurate distinction between insects and the great bulk of vertebrate animals.
a. 1843. Encycl. Metrop. (1845), VII. 292. The passive motive Organs or Skeleton of the Vertebrate Series of Animals.
1870. Gillmore, trans. Figuier’s Reptiles & Birds, Introd. 4. A bountiful Creator appears to have adopted one general plan in the organization of all the vertebrate creation.
1881. Mivart, in Nature, No. 615. 337. The highest of them, called the vertebrate sub-kingdom … comprises ourselves, with all beasts, birds, reptiles, efts, frogs and toads, and fishes.
Comb. 1863. Dana, Man. Geol., 276. In most of these vertebrate-tailed species the vertebral column extends into the upper lobe of the tail.
b. Bot. (See quot.)
1832. Lindley, Introd. Bot., 390. Vertebrate,… when the leaf is contracted at intervals, there being an articulation at each contraction; as in Cussonia spicata.
2. Of or pertaining to, characteristic of, found in, a vertebrated animal or animals.
1848. Owen (title), On the Archetype and Homologies of the Vertebrate Skeleton.
1854. H. Miller, Sch. & Schm., xxi. (1860), 229/1. The second age of vertebrate existence on our planet.
1857. H. Spencer, in Westm. Rev., April, 450. The earliest known vertebrate remains are those of Fishes.
1883. Encycl. Brit., XVI. 663/2. In the vertebrate eye, the filaments of the optic nerve penetrate the retina.
fig. 1872. Minto, Eng. Prose Lit., I. iii. 201. A vertebrate skeleton of the work.
3. fig. a. Of persons: Having connective mental powers.
1879. O. W. Holmes, Motley, xix. 146. The archivists and annalists will pile up facts … until the vertebrate historian comes with his generalizing ideas.
b. Of writings, etc.: Connectedly put together; characterized by strength or consistency.
1882. Gosse, in Grosart, Spenser, III. p. xlvi. Ramsay’s Gentle Shepherd … remains the most vertebrate and interesting bucolic drama produced in Great Britain.
1884. Athenæum, 15 Nov., 635/2. The new comedy … is more than a little lachrymose and is scarcely vertebrate.
1900. Sat. Rev., 24 March, 367. We have the right … to expect something more vertebrate, if he is to take place in literature.
B. sb. A member of the Vertebrata; a vertebrate animal.
1826. Kirby & Sp., Entomol., xlv. IV. 240. The antennæ of insects are analogous to ears in Vertebrates.
1840. Cuvier’s Anim. Kingd., 33. The general plan of their organization is not so uniform … as that of the vertebrates.
1870. F. Bowen, Logic, vi. 155. Some wingless animals are not vertebrates.
