invertebrate
invertebrate — 名詞
- invertebratesingular
- invertebratesplural
1. a living creature whose body has no spinal column — worms, insects, spiders, jel
無脊椎動物
沒有脊柱的動物，如蟲、蟹、水母
a living creature whose body has no spinal column — worms, insects, spiders, jellyfish, and snails are all examples of invertebrates
Madison showed the class a tray of earthworms and other invertebrates from the school garden.
Madison 向全班展示了一盤從學校花園挖來的蚯蚓和其他無脊椎動物。
Jellyfish are invertebrates that drift through every ocean on the planet.
水母是無脊椎動物，牠們漂流在地球上的每一片海洋中。
simple classification statement: [subject] + are + invertebrates
The rock pool was full of small invertebrates like crabs, snails, and sea stars.
岩石水窪裡滿是螃蟹、蝸牛和海星等小型無脊椎動物。
Kwame explained that beetles make up nearly a quarter of all known invertebrate species.
Kwame 解釋說，甲蟲佔了所有已知無脊椎動物物種的近四分之一。
Without invertebrates such as bees and butterflies, most flowering plants could not reproduce.
如果沒有蜜蜂和蝴蝶等無脊椎動物，大多數開花植物就無法繁殖。
- vertebrate
an animal that has a spinal column, such as a fish, bird, or mammal
常見錯誤
invertebrate — 形容詞
- invertebratepositive
- more invertebratecomparative
- most invertebratesuperlative
1. describes an animal whose body does not contain a spine or any internal skeleton
無脊椎的
生物上不具備脊柱或內骨骼的
describes an animal whose body does not contain a spine or any internal skeleton made of bone
The vet showed Esme an X-ray of her pet tarantula's invertebrate body.
獸醫向 Esme 展示了她那隻寵物捕鳥蛛無脊椎身體的 X 光片。
Unlike fish, invertebrate sea creatures like octopuses can squeeze through tiny gaps.
和魚類不同，章魚等無脊椎海洋生物能夠擠過極小的縫隙。
contrast structure: Unlike [vertebrate], invertebrate + noun
The biology textbook devoted an entire chapter to the study of invertebrate nervous systems.
那本生物教科書用了一整章專門講解無脊椎動物的神經系統。
Greta was surprised to learn that earthworms are invertebrate animals without any bones at all.
Greta 驚訝地發現，蚯蚓是完全沒有骨頭的無脊椎動物。
The museum display placed vertebrate and invertebrate skeletons next to each other for comparison.
博物館的展覽將脊椎動物和無脊椎動物的骨骼並排展示以供比較。
- spineless
less formal and more often used figuratively for people; in biology contexts 'invertebrate' is the standard term
- vertebrate
having a spine or backbone
用法筆記
This is the literal, biological meaning. It is most often used directly before a noun (e.g., 'invertebrate animals') rather than after a linking verb. The noun form 'invertebrate' is more common for naming these creatures directly.
2. describes a person, their actions, or an institution as having no courage, no fi
軟弱；沒骨氣
形容人缺乏勇氣或意志薄弱
describes a person, their actions, or an institution as having no courage, no firmness of purpose, or no moral strength — the word draws on the image of a creature without a spine to imply a fundamental lack of character
Niran called the manager an invertebrate coward who never stood up for his own team.
Niran 稱那位經理是個沒骨氣的懦夫，從來不為自己的團隊挺身而出。
figurative insult: invertebrate + coward
The journalist described the government's invertebrate response to the crisis as shameful.
那位記者將政府對危機的軟弱回應形容為可恥。
No one respected the invertebrate committee that folded under the slightest pressure.
沒有人尊重那個稍受壓力就屈服的軟弱委員會。
Mayumi finally told the invertebrate director that the team deserved a real answer.
Mayumi 終於告訴那位軟弱的主管，團隊應該得到一個真正的答覆。
Felipe's invertebrate refusal to confront the bully only made the situation worse.
Felipe 沒骨氣地拒絕面對霸凌者，這只讓情況變得更糟。
- spineless
the closest informal equivalent; more common in everyday speech
- cowardly
focuses on fear-driven behaviour specifically, not general weakness of character
- gutless
blunt slang with strong contempt; cruder than 'invertebrate'
- weak-kneed
more vivid, suggesting physical symptoms of fear; less severe as a character judgement
- resolute
suggests firmness and determination rather than bravery in the face of danger
文法句型
invertebrate + [person/institution/action noun]
用法筆記
This is always a harsh criticism. Calling a person 'invertebrate' attacks their entire character, not just one decision. Distinguish from sense 1: the literal biological meaning is neutral; this figurative sense is strongly negative.